Improving communication during patient handoffs after surgery
Official title: EnhanCed HandOffs (ECHO)
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11054563 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to help doctors and nurses communicate better when moving patients from surgery to the intensive care unit, using technology to make sure everyone has the right information to keep patients safe and reduce mistakes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $399,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HS029324-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054563 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing complex surgeries who will require intensive care postoperatively.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or those who do not require intensive care after their procedures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the communication and coordination between surgical, anesthesia, and critical care teams during the critical transition of patients from the operating room to the intensive care unit. It aims to address the high rate of medical errors that occur during these handoffs by developing a new approach called the INTERACT handoff bundle, which integrates telemedicine and machine learning to create a more flexible and interactive communication process. By standardizing yet personalizing the handoff process, the research seeks to improve the quality of information transfer and shared understanding of patient risks, ultimately enhancing patient safety during the postoperative period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce medical errors during postoperative handoffs, leading to safer recovery experiences for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improving handoff processes can enhance patient safety, but this approach aims to innovate beyond existing methods, making it a novel endeavor.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abraham, Joanna — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Abraham, Joanna
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain
This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about
-
Advanced Methods & Modeling for Better Patient Care
A funding opportunity focused on developing new modeling methods to improve health care for patients through better data use and analytics.
-
Advanced methods and modeling for health research at Washington University
A health research grant at Washington University funds new modeling methods to support future patient-focused studies.
-
Center for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology, Surveillance and Pathogenesis
A NIH program will study and monitor emerging viruses from the Midwest U.S. and three Asian sites to understand how they spread and affect people.
-
How Poverty and the Environment Affect Heart Disease in Haiti and Beyond
This grant studies how poverty-related factors like food insecurity, stress, and pollution contribute to heart disease and aims to follow a large group of adults to better understand and prevent the disease.
-
Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.