Table 2. Signout characteristics.
*Reason for transfer was not part of signout elements documented at the receiving facility. Vital signs during transport and Interventions during transport were not part of signout elements included at the referring facility.
| Referring facility | Receiving facility | Overall | ||
| n=786 | n=786 | n=1572 | ||
| Complete signout | ||||
| n (%) | 69 (8.8) | 64 (8.1) | 133 (8.4) | |
| Signout content included | ||||
| Mean percent | 42.8 | 47.7 | 45.2 | |
| 95% CI | 40.8 - 44.8 | 45.8 - 49.5 | 43.9 - 46.6 | |
| Signout elements included | n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | |
| All elements | 69 (8.8) | 66 (8.4) | 135 (8.6) | |
| Primary diagnosis | 448 (57.0) | 443 (56.4) | 891 (56.7) | |
| Reason for transfer* | 448 (57.0) | - | 448 (57.0) | |
| Interventions at referral facility | 127 (16.2) | 247 (31.4) | 374 (23.8) | |
| Length of stay at referral facility | 125 (15.9) | 144 (18.3) | 269 (17.1) | |
| Obstetric history | 496 (63.1) | 461 (58.7) | 957 (60.9) | |
| Past medical history | 442 (56.2) | 465 (59.2) | 907 (57.7) | |
| Usual medications | 295 (37.5) | 318 (40.5) | 613 (39.0) | |
| Allergies | 304 (38.7) | 320 (40.7) | 624 (39.7) | |
| Vital signs during transport* | - | 671 (85.4) | 671 (85.4) | |
| Interventions during transport* | - | 171 (21.8) | 171 (21.8) | |
| No elements | 6 (0.8) | 6 (0.8) | 12 (0.8) | |
| Missing | 2 (0.3) | 4 (0.5) | 6 (0.4) | |
| Signout person | ||||
| Physician | 435 (55.3) | 412 (52.4) | 847 (53.8) | |
| Nursing staff | 336 (42.7) | 366 (46.6) | 702 (44.7) | |
| Others | 13 (1.7) | 4 (0.5) | 17 (1.1) | |
| No signout | 1 (0.1) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.1) | |
| Missing | 1 (0.1) | 4 (0.5) | 5 (0.3) | |
| Signout method | ||||
| Both verbal and written | 622 (79.1) | 631 (80.3) | 1253 (79.7) | |
| Verbal | 16 (2) | 8 (1) | 24 (1.5) | |
| Written | 140 (17.8) | 130 (16.5) | 270 (17.1) | |
| No signout | 1 (0.1) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | |
| Missing | 7 (0.9) | 17 (2.2) | 24 (1.6) | |