Nursing Shift Handoff Process: Using an Electronic Health Record Tool to Improve Quality.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Informatics
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Inaccurate or inadequate nursing shift handoff information compromises patient safety and care.
• Electronic Health Records (EHR) offer potential to improve information clarity and prioritization.
• Effective handoffs are crucial for continuity of care and preventing adverse events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a peer-to-peer training program for nurses.
• To enhance the utilization of the electronic health record (EHR) nursing handoff feature.
• To improve the accuracy and adequacy of information during nursing shift changes.

Main Methods:

• A unit leadership team designed a training plan for evidence-based nursing education.
• Training focused on utilizing the specific nursing handoff feature within the EHR system.
• Peer-to-peer instruction was employed to facilitate knowledge transfer among nursing staff.

Main Results:

• The training initiative aimed to equip nurses with skills for effective EHR-assisted handoffs.
• Improved nurse confidence and competence in using the EHR for patient information exchange is anticipated.
• Enhanced data accuracy and completeness during shift changes is expected.

Conclusions:

• Utilizing EHR features for nursing handoffs can mitigate information gaps.
• Structured, evidence-based training is vital for optimizing EHR use in clinical practice.
• This approach has the potential to significantly improve nursing communication and patient safety.