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Abstract

Background
Miscommunication during handover has been linked to adverse patient events and is an international patient safety priority. Despite the development of handover resources, s tandardised handover tools for nursing team leader s in intensive care are limited.

Aims
The study aim was to implement and evaluate an evidence- based electronic minimum dataset for nursing team leader shift -to-shift handover in the intensive care unit using the k nowledge- to-action framework.

Methods
This study was conducted in a 21- bed medical/surgical intensive care unit in Queensland, Australia. Senior registered nurses involved in team leader handover were recruited. Three phases of the knowledge- to-action framework (select, tailor and implement interventions, monitor knowledge use and evaluate outcomes ) guided the implementation and evaluation process. A post -implementation practice audit and survey were carried out to determine nursing team leader use and perceptions of the electronic minimum dataset three months after implementation. Results are presented using descriptive statistics ( median, IQR, frequency and percentage) .

Results
Overall (86%, n=49) , team leader s used the electronic minimum dataset for handover and communication regarding patient plan increased . K ey content items however were absent from handovers and additional documentation was required alongside the minimum dataset to conduct handover. Of the team leader s surveyed (n=35), those receiving handover perceived the electronic minimum dataset more Page 4 of 24 positive ly than team leader s giving handover (n=35) . Benefits to using the electronic minimum dataset included the pat ient content (48%), suitability for short -stay patients (16%), decreased time updating (12%) and print ing the tool (12%) . Almost half of the participants however, found the minimum dataset contained irrelevant information, reported difficulties navigating and locating relevant information and pertinent information was missing. Suggestions for improvement focused on modifications to the electronic handover interface.

Linking evidence to action
Prior to developing and implementing electronic handover tools , adequate infrastructure is required to support knowledge translation and ensure clinician and organisational needs are met .

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Spooner, A., Aitken, L. M. & Chaboyer, W. (2017). Implementation of an evidence-based practice nursing handover tool in intensive care using the knowledge-to-action framework. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, , which is published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12276. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Publisher Keywords:	Handover, minimum dataset, nursing, knowledge-to-action, evidence-based practice
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Nursing
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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