Saving Their Life in the Field, Preserving Their Survival in the Handoff: Tools, Tips and Considerations for Protecting Your Patient in Transitions of Care

Effective transitions of care are critical moments in the patient journey, yet they remain one of the most vulnerable points in EMS operations. Paramedics routinely hand off high-acuity patients to emergency departments where noise, crowding, divided attention, and competing priorities can lead to errors such as dislodged IV lines, unrecognized ETT displacement, medication omissions, and loss of critical clinical information. This session provides practical, field-tested tools, tips, and techniques to strengthen the EMS–ED handoff and protect patients during this high-risk period. We will review structured communication models, strategies for maintaining airway and line security during movement, approaches to prevent equipment dislodgment, and methods to quickly re-engage inattentive or distracted receiving staff. Attendees will learn how to tailor their handoff to patient acuity, advocate for essential information exchange, and identify high-risk scenarios where extra vigilance is required. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, situational awareness, and paramedic-led safety practices that promote continuity of care and reduce preventable errors. Participants will leave with actionable skills to ensure that critically important prehospital interventions remain intact and information is accurately transferred, supporting safer, smoother, and more professional transitions of care.