Protocol for "handoff" in the intensive care unit

• Monitoring transferred to ICU equipment
• Ventilator function initiated
• Infusions and fluids checked
• Chest drains secured and on suction
• Vital signs confirmed to be stable, ventilator functioning well, infusions running appropriately
• Anesthesiologist, nurse, surgeon, and intensivist confirm that they are ready for information transfer

• Patient-specific information (age, weight, medical and surgical history, allergy status, baseline vital signs, pertinent laboratory results, diagnosis, current condition and vital signs)
• Anesthetic information (intraoperative course and any complications, lines present, blood transfusion and fluid totals, doses of paralytic and opioids, antibiotics, current infusions, vital sign parameters and limits, pain relief plan, laboratory values)

Surgeon presents:

• Surgical course (diagnosis, operation performed, surgical findings, complications, blood loss, drains)
• If no intensivist present or if surgeon provides ICU care: further plans (antibiotic plan, deep vein thrombosis [DVT] prophylaxis medication plan, tests to be done, nutrition, key goals for the next 6 to 12 hours)

Intensivist presents:

• Further plans (antibiotic plan, deep vein thrombosis [DVT] prophylaxis medication plan, tests to be done, nutrition, key goals for the next 6 to 12 hours)

• Ask ICU team if there are any questions or other points of clarification at the end of handoff