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An observational study of patient handover communications among nurses on an oncology critical care unit
Jennifer L Milesky1,2, Diana-Lyn Baptiste3, Brenda K Shelton4
1a Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing , 525 N. Wolf Street, Baltimore , MD 21205 , USA.
Background:
Breakdown in communication is a common cause of errors in hospitals. Aim/Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and utilization of evidence-based recommendations for nurse-to-nurse shift handover on an oncology critical care unit.
Design:
Observational study.
Methods:
Nurses were provided education that integrated evidence-based recommendations for handover of care. Nursing shift report was observed for one month in 2015 and for one month in 2016. Results were evaluated for inclusion of 24 evidence-based essential elements for handover communication.
Results:
Total completeness of handover increased with 86.64% (N = 38) in 2015 and 88.68% (N = 35) in 2016. Interruptions during handover were positively correlated with length of handover (r = 0.587, n = 18, p = .010), thus confirming the need for structured, more effective handover methods.
Conclusions:
Providing education, mentoring, and real-time feedback to motivated staff may lead to improvements in handover communication methods, yielding positive patient outcomes.
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