How do you hand off your patients to the next shift? Do you make rounds? Do you record the information? Are you available to the oncoming nurse during shift changes? What kind of information do you consider critical? How do you prefer to get your report? What changes would you suggest for your facility?
Documentation is critical to continuity of care as well as to provide a record of the care you have given. Conveying information to the next person assuming care for a patient is also essential to providing quality care. It can be disastrous if something is left out.
The Center for American Nurses is currently conducting an online survey of how nurses hand off patients. The purpose is to determine safer ways of conducting this process. Please take a few minutes to weigh in on this project.
One Comment
Peter
Hi! When we hand over, the wireless online hospital laptop is taken around. All nursing and doctor entries are visible and checked, as each patient is addressed.
Strict guidelines are set for nursing entries, with each nurse updating patient details during the shift.
It’s not bad really. All text is legible unlike hand entries.
Once the patient goes to the ward, any nurse with clearance can view the details, right from ED to discharge.
Regards
Peter