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Handoff standardization — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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

Overnight teams often miss pending blood cultures because sign-out varies by clinician. Which practical intervention is best?

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

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Correct answer: A — Use an electronic handoff listing pending tests, owner, and follow-up plan

A standardized electronic handoff supports consistent communication of pending results and responsibility. The other choices preserve the variation or ambiguity causing the failure.

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