Although clinicians are well aware of the patient handover protocols, inconsistent processes, absence of best practice guidelines and limited use of protocols can lead to serious consequences and put the patient’s safety at risk. This article gives a quick checklist of good practices during patient handovers. Clinical handover is defined as the transfer of professional responsibility and accountability for some or all aspects of care for a patient to another person or professional group on a temporary or permanent basis.
Timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of the information given during handovers are crucial for the understanding of your colleagues. Poor handovers are associated with- Inaccurate clinical assessment and diagnosis Delays in diagnosis and treatment Medication errors Incorrect interpretation of results Duplication of investigations Increased length of stay Increased…
