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Handoff communication — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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HardEthics, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, Systems-Based PracticeHandoff communicationUSMLE Step 3

A hospitalist group frequently misses pending tests after shift change because sign-outs vary among clinicians. Which intervention is best?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Use a standardized handoff with pending tasks, owner, and contingency plans

A standardized handoff makes ownership, pending work, and contingency plans explicit. Variable formats and memory-based systems are the identified failure modes.

Reference: AHRQ, TeamSTEPPS: Handoff: https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/communication/tools/handoff.html