Nursing handovers: An integrative review of the different models and processes available

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the different handover models and processes available and their efficacy in improving handover communication within nursing practice. The handover of information is a key nursing responsibility that ensures patient outcomes through continuity of care. This process is widely recognised as an opening for error that may comprise patient safety. This paper is an integrative literature review that employed an inductive exploratory design. A computerised database search was employed including CINAHL, PubMed and Science Direct and a manual citation search with included papers limited to papers published 2005-2016, in English with full text freely available. This included a systematic search strategy, a critical appraisal of the papers utilising the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme, an inductive data extraction and thematic analysis. Sixteen papers were included in this review. The results detailed that there are various handover models in use, yet there is no evidence that any one model displays superior efficacy. The iSoBAR model and its adaptations remain the only model employed across various specialties. More research is warranted to determine if any handover model displays superior efficacy or transferability.

The art of oral handovers: A participant observational study by undergraduate students in a hospital setting

“…Distribution of the workload and responsibilities among team members was often discussed during handovers in this study. The transfer of responsibility and accountability between shifts is important for patient‐centred care and patient safety (Bakon et al., ). Anderson et al.…”

“…According to Bakon, Wirihana, Christensen, and Craft (), four different styles of handover are used in clinical practice: verbal bedside handover, tape‐recorded handover, verbal handover and written handover. This article focuses on verbal or oral handovers between shifts, carried out in the nursing station and not by the bedside, normally called a handover, handoff, sign out, intershift report or, simply, report (Johnson et al., ; Staggers & Blaz, ; Street et al., ).…”

“…Patients are not involved in oral handovers between shifts; moreover, because the communication occurs away from patients, it can be challenging for the oncoming team to associate the information with the right patient (Street et al., ). However, oral handovers ensure patient confidentiality, and they provide nurses with the opportunity to transfer responsibility and accountability for patients and nursing tasks to the oncoming team (Bakon et al., ).…”

“…Bakon et al. () reviewed various models that might optimise nursing handovers. They did not find that one was superior to others.…”

Nursing handover of vital signs at the transition of care from the emergency department to the inpatient ward: An integrative review

“…Internationally, government and healthcare initiatives have attempted to improve and standardise clinical handover through the use of structured mnemonic tools and clinician checklists (Anderson, Malone, Shanahan, & Manning, 2014;Bakon, Wirihana, Christensen, & Craft, 2016;Nasarwanji, Badir, & Gurses, 2016). Despite implementation of handover support tools, there remains insufficient evidence for an association between standardisation of handover and reductions in adverse events.…”