Continuing Professional Development: Deficiencies in patient handover: A Case study

Claire Bell
Friday, September 25, 2009

OverviewThis module discusses the concept of patient handover between ambulance clinicians and hospital staff, using a case study from the author's practice. It looks both at handovers that take place in ‘Resus’ rooms and those less time-critical exchanges in other areas of the Accident and Emergency Department. It explores how the handover can be rendered ineffective by errors in communication between the two parties and how this can be detrimental to the patient. It also looks into whether the hospital or ambulance staff are to blame for errors in patient handover. Finally, suggestions are made for areas of further study.Learning OutcomesAfter completing this module you will be able to:• Understand what factors contribute to a good and a bad handover• Define active listening and why it is important• Consider how hospital waiting times can affect the quality of the handover• Recognize the importance of good interpersonal working relationships

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