Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Author Spotlight: Innovations in iTUG Test for Enhanced Risk Assessment and Cognitive Insights
Published on: October 25, 2024
Do Falls and Other Safety Issues Occur More Often During Handovers When Nurses Are Away From Patients? Findings From
Jessica Demaria1, Francesca Valent, Matteo Danielis
1Department of Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy (Ms Demaria, Mr Danielis, and Drs Bressan and Palese); Institute of Hygiene and Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy (Dr Valent); and Accreditation, Clinical Risk Management and Performance Assessment Unit, Udine University Hospital, Udine, Italy (Drs Bellomo and Farneti).
Background:
No studies have assessed the differences in the incidences of falls and other patient safety events (PSEs) during handovers performed away from patients compared with when nurses are on the unit.
Purpose:
The primary aim was to explore the incidence of falls and their severity during handovers compared with during nonhandover times; the secondary aim was to explore the occurrence of other PSEs during handover versus nonhandover times.
Methods:
This was a retrospective study of all PSEs that occurred from 2013 to 2017 in a large Italian academic trust.
Results:
There were 1966 falls and 1523 other PSEs. The incidence of falls per 100 hours was 4.9 during handovers and 4.4 during nonhandover times. The incidences of other PSEs were 2.9 and 3.5, respectively. No significant differences in fall outcome severity emerged.
Conclusions:
No differences emerged in the occurrence of falls during handovers performed away from patients and when nurses were on the unit. Other PSEs decreased in occurrence during handovers as compared with other times during the shifts.
More Related Videos
04:13Using a Real-Time Locating System to Measure Walking Activity Associated with Wandering Behaviors Among Institutionalized Older Adults
Published on: February 8, 2019
06:52Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:25Types of Reports I: Hands-off Report
Following are the key components and categories of hand-off reports:
Purpose and Process:
01:29SBAR I: Understanding the Concept
Standardized methods of communication have been developed to ensure that information is...
01:18Guidelines and Strategies for Safe Computer Charting
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
01:21Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...
01:23Nurses' Legal Responsibilities II
Communication between nurses and...