Handover checklist: testing a standardization process in an Italian hospital

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to standardize and rationalize the handover, a critical and essential moment in common health care practices, through the realization of an efficient and standardized checklist, which could be used daily to ensure complete, thorough and effective handover. The principal purpose of the implementation of the handover is to reduce errors due to superficial and insufficient communication.MethodsThe “operative group” defined the phases to the realization of the delineated aims: at first, the direct observation and the consequent realization of a handover checklist model and then, the experimental phases (trials). The handover checklist model was used for a month and it was daily and duly completed by the doctors who took part in the trial. To prove the success of the study, three questionnaires were distributed on different occasions.ResultsAnalyzing the answers to the questionnaires, the importance of the handover has come to light and that for the most part, the doctors consider it an essential and irreplaceable moment in daily health care work. Moreover, it became obvious that the use of the handover checklist guaranteed a considerable improvement in the traditional handover in terms of security, completeness, care continuity and clarity. The handover checklist was completely appreciated by the majority of the participant doctors who agree with the definitive introduction of it in their unit.ConclusionsOur study indicated the consistency of the handover checklist as an instrument to implement the handover and, indirectly, to improve the quality of the care.

Incident Reporting System in an Italian University Hospital: A New Tool for Improving Patient Safety

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“…Once the system risks and deficiencies have been identified using these tools, the second application phase involves the use of additional clinical risk management techniques (FMEA/FMECA; root cause analysis; clinical audits; etc.) aimed at preventing the planning of certain suitable protective barriers and the identification of the priorities order in relation to the interventions to implement [ 8 ].…”

Sepsis and Nosocomial Infections: The Role of Medico-Legal Experts in Italy

“…These include cleanliness of the wards, concentration of patient beds, sterility of medical devices and surgery rooms. Iatrogenic risk factors mainly relate to the care providers' practices of hygiene, use of antibiotics, and the degree of care during invasive procedures [56,57].…”

An Evidence-Based, Nursing Handover Standard for a Multisite Public Hospital in Switzerland: Web-Based, Modified Delphi Study

“…Validated causes at the root of handover communication failures include institutional cultures that fail to promote effective handovers (eg, lack of teamwork and respect); the different expectations of information givers and receivers; inadequate methods of communication, whether verbal, recorded, bedside, or written; ill-timed or badly coordinated physical transfers and patient handovers; interruptions to, or the lack of time allocated to, successful handovers; nonstandardized handover procedures; insufficient staff to ensure effective handovers at pertinent times of the day or week; and a lack of participation by patients during their handovers [ 24 - 26 ].…”

“…Information management at nursing shift changes has been highlighted as being particularly prone to mistakes [ 23 , 31 ]. The general themes involved in clinical nursing handover standards are affected by a range of factors that combine to define how smooth and safe they are for patients [ 26 , 36 ]. A nursing handover is a vital element in the continuity of care [ 37 ].…”