The hospital receiving vital signs, medications, and on-scene assessment to guide ongoing care is called:

• A. Continuity of care
• B. Documentation
• C. Handoff
• D. Telemedicine

Answer: (A)

Handoff is the transfer of responsibility and critical information from the EMS/on-scene team to the hospital team so care can continue smoothly. In this moment, including the patient’s vital signs, medications given, and the on-scene assessment helps the hospital understand the current status and plan the next steps. This specific transfer of information and responsibility is what defines a handoff. Continuity of care is a broader idea about ongoing care across settings, while documentation is simply recording information, and telemedicine is remote consultation. The scenario centers on the formal handoff of pertinent patient information to guide ongoing care.