B3b. Research in this area is limited but supports the move from current practices to a bedside handoff model. Most of the studies show current practices to be varied and non-standard. One study found a wide range of handoff styles within one medical center’s 23 wards. These styles varied from group handoffs, some performed by the nurse in charge and some by the nurses caring for the patients. Some wards used a combination of a group handoff followed by individual handoffs. It was noted that these individual handoffs occurred in a wide range of areas including hallways, storage rooms, nurses’ stations, offices and other non-patient care areas (Kerr, Lu, McKinlay & Fuller 2011). These handoff practices also do not encompass the Joint
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Most of the articles looked at staff and patient satisfaction but Tobiano, Chaboyer & McMurray (2012) focused on family members. They found that families included in the handoff process felt more involved and informed regarding their relative’s care. They expressed that participating in the bedside handoff made them more able to understand post-discharge care needs and to prepare to meet those needs more readily. All of the researchers agreed that communication at handoffs has the potential to affect patient safety. Maxon, Derby, Wrobleski and Foss (2012) noted that nurses felt more able to communicate patient care needs with the physicians immediately following bedside handoffs. The pilot study done by Pothier, Monteiro, Mooktair and Shaw (2005) vividly demonstrates how a high percentage of valuable information is lost with current handoff practices. Over 5 simulated handoffs using 3 different typical handoff styles they found a data retention rates of 0%, 26% and 84%. While this study did not specifically address bedside handoffs, it clearly demonstrates the need for change. These losses of data could potentially affect patient safety. Communication is key to providing safe care. Improvements in communication, be they through the use of standardized handoff sheets or the involvement of patients and their families in the form of bedside handoff, …show more content…
There is research that supports this, Pothier, Monteiro, Mootiar & Shaw, (2005) showed that there was significantly decreased data loss when a pre-prepared handoff sheet was used in conjunction with a verbal handoff. Johnson & Cowin (2012) supported the use of a written handover sheet as a memory aide. Chaboyer, McMurray, & Wallis (2010) further support the use of a handover sheet stating that “The handover sheet played a key role both during and after the handover”. The use of technology to incorporate data automatically pulled from the EMR into a prepared hand off sheet can also increase the accuracy of information relayed during bedside
Most of the articles looked at staff and patient satisfaction but Tobiano, Chaboyer & McMurray (2012) focused on family members. They found that families included in the handoff process felt more involved and informed regarding their relative’s care. They expressed that participating in the bedside handoff made them more able to understand post-discharge care needs and to prepare to meet those needs more readily. All of the researchers agreed that communication at handoffs has the potential to affect patient safety. Maxon, Derby, Wrobleski and Foss (2012) noted that nurses felt more able to communicate patient care needs with the physicians immediately following bedside handoffs. The pilot study done by Pothier, Monteiro, Mooktair and Shaw (2005) vividly demonstrates how a high percentage of valuable information is lost with current handoff practices. Over 5 simulated handoffs using 3 different typical handoff styles they found a data retention rates of 0%, 26% and 84%. While this study did not specifically address bedside handoffs, it clearly demonstrates the need for change. These losses of data could potentially affect patient safety. Communication is key to providing safe care. Improvements in communication, be they through the use of standardized handoff sheets or the involvement of patients and their families in the form of bedside handoff, …show more content…
There is research that supports this, Pothier, Monteiro, Mootiar & Shaw, (2005) showed that there was significantly decreased data loss when a pre-prepared handoff sheet was used in conjunction with a verbal handoff. Johnson & Cowin (2012) supported the use of a written handover sheet as a memory aide. Chaboyer, McMurray, & Wallis (2010) further support the use of a handover sheet stating that “The handover sheet played a key role both during and after the handover”. The use of technology to incorporate data automatically pulled from the EMR into a prepared hand off sheet can also increase the accuracy of information relayed during bedside