Abstract

BACKGROUND: Interruptions during handover may compromise continuity of care and patient safety.

LOCAL PROBLEM: Interruptions occur frequently during handovers in the intensive care unit.

METHODS: A quality improvement study was undertaken to improve nursing team leader handover processes. The frequency, source, and reason interruptions occurred were recorded before and after a handover intervention.

INTERVENTIONS: The intervention involved relocating handover from the desk to bedside and using a printed version of an evidence-based electronic minimum data set. These strategies were supported by education, champions, reminders, and audit and feedback.

RESULTS: Forty handovers were audiotaped before, and 49 were observed 3 months following the intervention. Sixty-four interruptions occurred before and 52 after the intervention, but this difference was not statistically significant. Team leaders were frequently interrupted by nurses discussing personal or work-specific matters before and after the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: Further work is required to reduce interruptions that do not benefit patient care.

Publication Type:	Article
Publisher Keywords:	Bedside Handoff, Handover, Intensive Care Unit, Interruptions, Quality Improvement
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine R Medicine > RT Nursing
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences

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