In I PASS the BATON, what information belongs in the 'Background'?

In I PASS the BATON, what information belongs in the 'Background'?

• A. Comorbidities, previous episodes, current medications, family history
• B. Current complaints and symptoms
• C. Insurance information
• D. Physical exam findings

Answer: (A)

In a handoff, Background provides historical context about the patient that helps the team understand who they are and what factors influence care. This includes chronic conditions (comorbidities), prior episodes or illnesses, current medications, and family history. These pieces of information are stable over a single encounter and set the stage for interpreting the current situation and planning the next steps. Current complaints and symptoms describe what brought the patient in today and belong in the Illness portion or Patient Summary, not Background. Insurance information is administrative, and physical exam findings are objective data from the current encounter that belong in the assessment/plan or objective sections, not the Background. Therefore, the list of comorbidities, prior episodes, current medications, and family history best fits the Background category.

In a handoff, Background provides historical context about the patient that helps the team understand who they are and what factors influence care. This includes chronic conditions (comorbidities), prior episodes or illnesses, current medications, and family history. These pieces of information are stable over a single encounter and set the stage for interpreting the current situation and planning the next steps.

Current complaints and symptoms describe what brought the patient in today and belong in the Illness portion or Patient Summary, not Background. Insurance information is administrative, and physical exam findings are objective data from the current encounter that belong in the assessment/plan or objective sections, not the Background. Therefore, the list of comorbidities, prior episodes, current medications, and family history best fits the Background category.