Clinical handover

Clinical handover is a critical process in healthcare settings where the responsibility and accountability of patient care are transferred from one healthcare professional to another. This process ensures continuity of care and patient safety by providing accurate and timely information about the patient's condition, treatment, and any other relevant details.

Importance

Clinical handover is essential for maintaining patient safety and ensuring that there is no loss of critical information during transitions in care. Effective handovers can prevent medical errors, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery.

Types of Clinical Handover

There are several types of clinical handover, including:

• Shift-to-shift handover: This occurs at the change of shifts, where outgoing staff provide incoming staff with updates on patient status and care plans.
• Inter-departmental handover: This takes place when a patient is transferred from one department to another, such as from the emergency department to the intensive care unit.
• Inter-hospital handover: This involves the transfer of a patient from one hospital to another, requiring detailed communication between the sending and receiving facilities.

Key Components

Effective clinical handover should include the following components:

• Patient identification: Ensuring the correct patient is being discussed.
• Current condition: A summary of the patient's current health status and any recent changes.
• Treatment plan: Information on ongoing treatments, medications, and any upcoming procedures.
• Relevant history: Important medical history, including allergies and previous conditions.
• Pending tasks: Any tasks that need to be completed, such as tests or follow-up appointments.

Methods

Various methods and tools are used to facilitate clinical handover, including:

• SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation): A structured communication tool that helps standardize the information shared during handover.
• ISBAR (Introduction, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation): An extension of SBAR that includes an introduction step.
• Checklists: Standardized checklists can ensure that all critical information is communicated.

Challenges

Several challenges can impact the effectiveness of clinical handover, such as:

• Time constraints: Limited time during shift changes can lead to rushed or incomplete handovers.
• Communication barriers: Differences in language, terminology, or communication styles can hinder effective information exchange.
• Environmental factors: Noise, interruptions, and lack of privacy can affect the quality of handover.

Strategies for Improvement

To improve clinical handover, healthcare organizations can implement the following strategies:

• Training and education: Providing training on effective handover techniques and the use of standardized tools.
• Standardization: Developing and implementing standardized protocols and checklists.
• Technology: Utilizing electronic health records (EHRs) and other digital tools to support information transfer.

See also

• Patient safety
• Medical error
• Emergency department
• Intensive care unit
• Electronic health record