Exploring postoperative handover quality in relation to patient condition: A mixed methods study.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare quality improvement
• Patient safety research
• Clinical communication studies

Background:

• Effective postoperative handovers are crucial for patient safety and care continuity.
• Existing research needs to explore handover quality in relation to patient condition and influencing factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe postoperative handover reporting and tasks.
• To analyze the relationship between patient condition, situational circumstances, and handover quality.
• To identify facilitators for best practices in postoperative handovers.

Main Methods:

• An observational mixed-methods convergent design was employed.
• Quantitative data (n=109) collected using the postoperative handover assessment tool (PoHAT) and patient condition scoring.
• Qualitative data (n=48) gathered through field notes and an observational guide, adhering to GRAMMS guidelines.

Main Results:

• Information omissions occurred in 75% of handovers (median 7 omissions).
• Handovers for stable patients had more omissions; 46% were interrupted, with low checklist compliance (13%).
• Key facilitators included adapting handovers to patient condition/situation, structured reporting, and team dialogue.

Conclusions:

• Handover variations are linked to patient condition, circumstances, and low checklist compliance.
• Adapting handovers, structured reporting, team dialogue, and patient assessments improve quality.
• Handover quality encompasses more than information transfer, influenced by patient and situational factors.