File(s) under permanent embargo
Developing a framework for nursing handover in the emergency department: an individualised and systematic approach
journal contribution
posted on 2013-08-01, 00:00 authored by S Klim, A-M Kelly, Debra KerrDebra Kerr, S Wood, T McCannAIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore emergency department (ED) nurses' perceptions of current practices and essential components of effective change of shift nursing handover. BACKGROUND: Ineffective nursing handover can negatively impact on patient outcomes. Evidence suggests that nursing handover in ED is highly variable. Proposed handover models in the literature are structured for inpatient settings and may not be suitable for ED settings. DESIGN: A mixed methods study (survey and group interviews) was conducted in a metropolitan ED in Melbourne, Australia. METHODS: During February-June 2011, a survey (n = 63) investigated perceptions of current practices and preferences for handover structure. Analyses are descriptive. In the same period, group interviews (n = 41) explored nurses' opinions about essential features and information of an effective nursing handover in the ED environment. A modified nominal group technique generated data that were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Most nurses (96%) perceived receiving adequate information during handover; however, gaps were identified, including omission of important information regarding medications, vital signs and nursing care needs. Group interviews identified five essential features of effective handover: systematic approach, treatment, appropriate environment, reference to documentation/charts and efficient communication. Essential information included patient details, presenting problem, future care/disposition plan, treatment and nursing observations. CONCLUSION: Handover structures in the ED may not provide essential information to ensure adequate continuity of nursing care. ED nurses consider optimal handover to be specific for patients for whom they are caring, conducted at the bedside, structured and containing key elements (patient details, presenting problem, treatment, nursing observations, plan). RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Provision of a handover framework incorporating key features and essential information has the potential to improve the efficiency of handover. Use of this framework may enhance the transfer of accurate and essential information to enable safe and high standards of nursing care in the ED.
History
Journal
Journal of clinical nursingVolume
22Issue
15-16Pagination
2233 - 2243Publisher
Wiley-BlackwellLocation
Chichester, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0962-1067eISSN
1365-2702Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2013, John Wiley & SonsUsage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC