Question

6. * During clinical experience, evaluate how information is communicated between shifts. CRITIQUE Ie. Change of shift report.

Answer 1

Ans) In healthcare, a change-of-shift report is a meeting between healthcare providers at the change of shift in which vital information about and responsibility for the patient is provided from the off-going provider to the on-coming provider.

- Change-of-shift report is the time when responsibility and accountability for the care of a patient is transferred from one nurse to another. The communication that ensues during this process is linked to both patient safety and continuity of care giving.

- The handover of each patient is generally made up of three sections:
Past: historical info.The patient's diagnosis, anything the team needs to know about them and their treatment plan.
Present: current presentation.
Future: what is still to be done.

- ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation) is a mnemonic created to improve safety in the transfer of critical information.

- ISBAR organises a conversation into the essential elements in the transfer of information from one source to another. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in both clinical and non clinical situations of communication transfer.

- Tips for a successful handover
1) Be punctual.
2) Keep your team informed.
3) Be prepared.
4) Team handover.
5) Cover all the bases.
6) Know your contacts.
7) Know your way around the hospital.
8) Keep it succinct.