Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/11434/1205
Title: Interprofessional communication supporting clinical handover in emergency departments: An observation study.
Epworth Authors: Redley, Bernice
Botti, Mari
Wood, Beverley
Other Authors: Bucknall, Tracey
Keywords: Interprofessional Communication
Patient Safety
Emergency Departments
EDs
Patterns and Process
Change-Of-Shift Handovers
Quality of Care
Handover Processes
ABCD Process
Antecedents
Behaviours and Interactions
Content
Ongoing Care, Delegation
Standard Processes
Standard Practices
Teamwork
Interactions
Communication Activities
Reflective Analysis
Standardisation
Team Practices
Handover Practices
Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, Epworth HealthCare Partnership
Chair of Nursing, Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Issue Date: Aug-2017
Publisher: Elsevier
Citation: Australas Emerg Nurs J. 2017 Aug; 20(3): 122-130
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Poor interprofessional communication poses a risk to patient safety at change-of-shift in emergency departments (EDs). The purpose of this study was to identify and describe patterns and processes of interprofessional communication impacting quality of ED change-of-shift handovers. METHODS: Observation of 66 change-of-shift handovers at two acute hospital EDs in Victoria, Australia. Focus groups with 34 nurse participants complemented the observations. Qualitative data analysis involved content and thematic methods. RESULTS: Four structural components of ED handover processes emerged represented by (ABCD): (1) Antecedents; (2) Behaviours and interactions; (3) Content; and (4) Delegation of ongoing care. Infrequent and ad hoc interprofessional communication and discipline-specific handover content and processes emerged as specific risks to patient safety at change-of-shift handovers. Three themes related to risky and effective practices to support interprofessional communications across the four stages of ED handovers emerged: 1) standard processes and practices, 2) teamwork and interactions and 3) communication activities and practices. CONCLUSIONS: Unreliable interprofessional communication can impact the quality of change-of-shift handovers in EDs and poses risk to patient safety. Structured reflective analysis of existing practices can identify opportunities for standardisation, enhanced team practices and effective communication across four stages of the handover process to support clinicians to enhance local handover practices. Future research should test and refine models to support analysis of practice, and identify and test strategies to enhance ED interprofessional communication to support clinical handovers.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11434/1205
DOI: 10.1016/j.aenj.2017.05.003
PubMed URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28595847
ISSN: 1328-2743
Journal Title: Australian Emergency Nursing Journal
Type: Journal Article
Affiliated Organisations: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University (Burwood Campus), Geelong, 3216, VIC, Australia
Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research—Monash Health Partnership, Deakin University (Burwood Campus), Geelong, 3216, VIC, Australia
Type of Clinical Study or Trial: Observational Study
Appears in Collections:Emergency Care

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