Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
14:32
Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Developing a guideline for structured content and process in mental health nursing handover
Darrin Cowan1, Scott Brunero2, Xiaoou Luo1
1Mid North Coast Local Health District, New South Wales Ministry of Health, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia.
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
|April 13, 2017
Summary
Improving nursing handover in Australian mental health care is crucial for patient safety. Effective handover requires structure, content, and leadership, supported by supervision and clinical review.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare quality and safety
- Nursing practice
- Mental health services
Background:
- Patient safety is increasingly linked to the quality of clinical handover processes.
- Effective information transfer between healthcare teams is vital for safe patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nursing handover in Australian acute mental health inpatient units.
- To develop a handover guideline based on research findings.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, descriptive study design.
- Utilized participant observations, focus groups, and interviews.
- Conducted in two mental health inpatient units in New South Wales, Australia.
Main Results:
- Identified a link between handover structure, content, and leadership.
- Highlighted the necessity of additional forums like supervision and clinical review.
- Contributed to the development of a comprehensive handover guideline.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing nursing handover is essential for enhancing patient safety in mental health settings.
- A structured approach to handover, encompassing content and leadership, is recommended.
- Complementary processes like supervision and clinical review are necessary for effective handover implementation.
Related Concept Videos
01:29SBAR I: Understanding the Concept
Effective communication among healthcare professionals during hand-off reporting is essential to delivering safe and continuous patient care. Common professional interactions include reports to healthcare team members, hand-off, and transfer reports. Nurses routinely report information to other healthcare team members and also urgently contact healthcare providers to report changes in patient status.
Standardized methods of communication have been developed to ensure that information is...
Standardized methods of communication have been developed to ensure that information is...
01:21Planning Nursing Care I
The planning phase of the nursing process helps nurses set priorities, outline patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and tailor nursing interventions to align with the aligned care plan. Through the planning phase, the nurse applies critical thinking skills to align and develop interventions according to the patient's needs. It provides continuity of care allowing patients to receive the maximum benefit from treatment. It serves as a pilot plan for allocating individual staff to a...
01:29Planning Nursing Care II
A nursing care plan can present in two forms: informal and formal. Informal is a care plan for the individual use of the nurse and goals they wish to accomplish during their shift. Informal care plans are not included in the patient chart. A formal nursing care plan is a written or computerized guide that organizes patient care. It is further subdivided into two: standardized and individualized care plans. Standardized care plans are pre-populated care plans for specific patient populations,...
01:26Guidelines for Nursing Documentation II
Effective documentation is an integral part of nursing practice. Here are some essential guidelines to follow when documenting patient care:
Timely documentation is crucial to ensure continuity of care for patients. Any delays in recording or reporting medical information can result in medical errors and even adverse patient outcomes. From medication administration to diagnostic test results, every detail must be accurately and promptly documented to provide the best possible care for patients.
Timely documentation is crucial to ensure continuity of care for patients. Any delays in recording or reporting medical information can result in medical errors and even adverse patient outcomes. From medication administration to diagnostic test results, every detail must be accurately and promptly documented to provide the best possible care for patients.
01:25Types of Reports I: Hand-off Report
A hand-off report, also known as a change-of-shift report, is a crucial nursing process that ensures the smooth transition of patient care responsibilities between nursing staff.
Following are the key components and categories of hand-off reports:
Purpose and Process:
Following are the key components and categories of hand-off reports:
Purpose and Process:
01:06Legal Guidelines for Documentation
The legal guidelines for nursing documentation are essential for ensuring accurate, professional, and ethical recording of patient care. The guidelines are discussed here: