Handover rounds in Irish hospitals.

Area of Science:

• Medical Practice
• Hospital Administration
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Shift work is increasing for hospital doctors due to medical complexities and reduced working hours.
• This can lead to potential patient care discontinuity and negative patient safety outcomes.
• Effective communication during patient handovers is crucial in modern healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of formal handover rounds in Irish hospitals.
• To examine the format and structure of these handover rounds.
• To investigate variations across four distinct medical specialties.

Main Methods:

• A survey-based approach was utilized.
• A 26-item questionnaire was distributed to healthcare professionals.
• Data were collected from 61 participants across 26 Irish hospitals.

Main Results:

• Only 28% of respondents reported the existence of formal handover rounds.
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology departments demonstrated a higher likelihood of conducting handover rounds (80%).
• Consultant (100%) and post-call staff (73%) attendance were key features where rounds occurred.

Conclusions:

• Formal handover rounds are not universally implemented in Irish hospitals.
• The study underscores the critical importance of effective and comprehensive patient handovers.
• While not universal, the findings emphasize the need to address handover practices to optimize patient care and safety.