This lecture discusses the reduction of human errors via the establishment of continuity of care for our veterinary patients. Using the acute abdomen as a patient example, it explores the role that care plans and structured handover tools play in preventing patient errors. Communication is key to success in veterinary practice, this involves structured communication throughout all levels of the veterinary team. The acute abdomen requires knowledge and recognition of a significant number of clinical nursing and veterinary considerations that without thorough care planning and handover may go unrecognised during or after a shift change. The lecture draws on evidence from both human and veterinary literature on the importance of these multidisciplinary communication tools and discusses how the veterinary team can adapt these for use in their own clinical environments.