Building an Electronic Handover Tool for Physicians Using a Collaborative Approach between Clinicians and the...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Patient Safety
• Clinical Communication

Background:

• The Ottawa Hospital aimed to improve patient safety and quality of care.
• Physician handover is a critical communication process prone to information loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an electronic handover tool to decrease information loss during physician handovers.
• To enhance clinical communication and patient safety at The Ottawa Hospital.

Main Methods:

• Engaged a physician workgroup to define requirements for an electronic handover tool.
• Designed the graphical user interface (GUI) and functionality based on clinical needs.
• Conducted usability testing prior to pilot implementation.

Main Results:

• Developed a fully integrated electronic handover tool on the Clinical Mobile Application (CMA).
• The tool allows clinicians to enter patient problems, notes, and tasks.
• Facilitates seamless information transfer among physicians.

Conclusions:

• The electronic handover tool is expected to decrease information loss.
• Implementation aims to improve physician communication and patient safety.
• The tool supports The Ottawa Hospital's goal of becoming a top performer in patient safety and quality of care.