Standardization of Pediatric Interfacility Transport Handover: Measuring the Development of a Shared Mental Model*

Abstract

Considerable enhancements in handover quality, team participation, and the development of a shared mental model after standardization of interfacility transport handover were noted. These findings were achieved without compromising handover efficiency.

A Longitudinal and Sustainability Assessment of Pediatric Interfacility Transport Handover Standardization

“…These gains were consistent with our original findings and sustained using an intervention that primarily consisted of a standardized checklist with only minimal retraining throughout the study period. 14 The addition of face validity and longitudinal data strongly suggests an intuitive checklist tool can promote lasting qualitative and quantitative enhancements to a quality improvement project without interfering with workplace efficiency.…”

“…1) was derived by modifying an existing, validated pediatric postoperative handover tool and altered using contributions from subspecialty disciplines including transport medicine, critical care medicine, emergency medicine, neonatology, respiratory care, and critical care nursing. 14,22 In addition to facilitating a structured handover procedure, the checklist outlined individual roles and expected professional behaviors. Transport and hospital unit-based staff—such as nursing, respiratory therapists, emergency medical technicians, bedside nursing, advanced practice providers, and attending physicians within each division—received didactic and simulation education before postintervention data collection to improve familiarity with study interventions.…”

“…One-year follow-up observational and face validity data were compared against our original pre- and postintervention data previously published. 14 As outlined in our original publication, posthandover survey data were collected for three 8-week study periods (preintervention, postintervention, and now at 1-year follow-up). A 4-week period without data collection following the preintervention period was provided for education and familiarity with standardized handover process as described above.…”

“…9,10 Throughout handover, individual participant cognitive models are transformed into a shared mental model regarding historical context, existing patient status, current posthandover healthcare plan, and anticipatory guidance. 11–14 In a preceding publication, 14 our research group was able to show that greater degree of shared mental model congruence expressed as an index (SMMi) can be achieved by using simple checklist-based handover standardization and can enhance other quality outcomes. 15–17…”

Improving management of hospitalised patients with COVID-19: algorithms and tools for implementation and measurement

“…The algorithm-based supplementary documentation forms will create a shared mental model where attendance, punctuality, attention, summarisation and provision of anticipatory guidance can be improved. 27 While the above-mentioned benefits align with highquality care (eg, efficiency, appropriateness and continuity of care), it is worth noting that this initiative also corresponds with the assertions of renowned quality experts; Staines and colleagues during this global pandemic. To avoid the hibernation of quality/patient safety programmes and use the skillset of quality/patient safety experts, Staines and colleagues introduced what can be viewed as a contemporary manifesto for quality activities during a pandemic, such as COVID-19.…”