A qualitative study to develop a new tool for handover in emergency department

الملخص EN

information into relevant sections.

Results : Interviews identified a variety of perceived current deficits in handover including a lack of standardized practice and structure.

Participants provided examples of poor handover that were thought to have led to adverse events; these included delay in investigations and treatment for patients who were handed over with brief or inaccurate information.

There was wide variation in the understanding of the meaning and purpose of shift handover, and differences were apparent according to the level of experience the individuals interviewed.

The experts’ responses were used to reach a unifying ‘best practice’ for the content of handover.

Conclusions: A simple tool was developed to provide the basis for medical shift handover, which includes clinical and operational information necessary for efficiency and organization of the next shift.Objective: This study identifies best practice for shift handover and introduces a new tool used to handover clinical and operational issues at the end of all shifts in the emergency department (ED).

Methods: Literature review, semi-structured interviews and observations of handover were used to develop a standardized process for handover.

Participants were ED residents, specialists, consultants and senior nurses.

Interviews were used to identify agreed best practice and derive a tool to classify the information into relevant sections.

Results: Interviews identified a variety of perceived current deficits in handover including a lack of standardized practice and structure.

Participants provided examples of poor handover that were thought to have led to adverse events; these included delay in investigations and treatment for patients who were handed over with brief or inaccurate information.

There was wide variation in the understanding of the meaning and purpose of shift handover, and differences were apparent according to the level of experience the individuals interviewed.

The experts’ responses were used to reach a unifying ‘best practice’ for the content of handover.

Conclusions: A simple tool was developed to provide the basis for medical shift handover, which includes clinical and operational information necessary for efficiency and organization of the next shift.