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Handoff

Transferring responsibility for client care from one nurse to another at shift change or transfer.

A handoff transfers responsibility for client care from one nurse to another at shift change or transfer, and it is a high-risk moment for information to be lost. Use a structured format such as SBAR — Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation — so nothing critical is missed. Bedside handoff with the client and family present is the safest practice because it allows verification and questions in real time.

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