Weekend handover: Improving patient safety during weekend services

Clinical Handover has been identified as one of the most high-risk processes within medicine. Inadequate handover is a significant cause of avoidable adverse events across many hospitals. A likert-survey of the weekend handover system at a district general hospital demonstrated significant dissatisfaction amongst junior doctors. Intending to improve patient safety and reduce stress for on-call junior doctors, a weekend handover proforma was compiled according to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons guidelines. The proforma was trialed on six medical wards for six months with a before and after questionnaire being sent to doctors on the wards involved to determine the proforma's merits on a scale of 1 (least effective) to 10 (most effective). Reports subsequent to implementation demonstrated a 67% increase ease of identifying outstanding weekend jobs. 57% of doctors reported better understanding of their patient's diagnosis and management plan and 53% stated it was easier to identify the patients that required regular medical review over the weekend. Results also highlighted a 55% reported an increase in safety of weekend handovers (p<0.01). A closed loop audit of handover practice through the use of a standardised proforma showed improved quality, detail and consistency of handovers. The reduction in stress for junior doctors managing unknown patients with a clear concise plan, directed by a senior from the parent team during the week, has improved patient safety and doctor satisfaction.