Examination of current handover practice: Evidence to support changing the ritual

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Kerr, Debra, Lu, Sai, McKinlay, Louise and Fuller, Christine (2011) Examination of current handover practice: Evidence to support changing the ritual. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 17 (4). pp. 342-350. ISSN 1322-7114 (print) 1440-172X (online)

Abstract

Examining systems of nursing handover provides the opportunity to identify areas in need of improvement and modification. The aim of this study was to describe nursing handover practices for one organization and explore clinical nurses' opinions regarding the quality of the current shift-to-shift handover style. One hundred and fifty-three registered nurses employed in 23 wards in an acute tertiary hospital in Australia completed a survey. The survey collected information about demographic data, current methods and preferences for style of handover and opinions about the quality of nursing handover. This study found that existing handover practice is time-consuming, lacks patient involvement and essential information, and is varied in style. Only one ward (4.3%) conducted handover at the bedside. The majority (82%) expressed reluctance to change their current handover style. Modification of existing nursing handover is needed but might be challenging in view of the reluctance to change this ritual.

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Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/7889
DOI 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2011.01947.x
Official URL http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1440-...
Subjects Historical > Faculty/School/Research Centre/Department > School of Nursing and Midwifery
Historical > FOR Classification > 1110 Nursing
Historical > SEO Classification > 9202 Health and Support Services
Keywords ResPubID22822, handover, nursing, organization, ritual, survey
Citations in Scopus 41 - View on Scopus
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