Undertaking effective handovers in the healthcare setting

Handovers are a crucial aspect of the patient's healthcare pathway. Effective handovers promote patient safety and continuity of care and may contribute to increased job satisfaction for nurses. It is important that nurses can identify any potential barriers to effective handovers so that these can be addressed. An increasing emphasis on person-centred care in the NHS has resulted in changes in the way handovers are conducted, and there has been a shift away from nurse-to-nurse communication towards increased patient involvement. Evidence supports the use of a structured framework in handovers and the author advocates placing patients at the centre of their care by using bedside handovers. Nurses require training and support to enable them to deliver effective handovers that meet the requirements of their organisation, colleagues and patients.