Patient handover in the ED

With the doctor changeover looming, I thought it would be helpful to review an important part of our daily activities: PATIENT HANDOVER. This is such a crucial activity, and if done halfhearted can lead to potential error and patient harm. Using standardised handover formats have been shown to reduce hospital mortality and patient adverse events.

We are constantly handing over patients to different groups:
1. Ambulance arrivals to ED staff (ATMIST format)
2. Referral to other specialities  & nursing transfer handover to ward (SBAR format)
        We have also introduced the Discharge document to be completed for all patients admitted to the inpatient wards.
3. Shift handover doctor to doctor (IPASS format)
4. Shift handover at 8am & 10pm to address global departmental issues (ED handover sheet)


In Derriford ED we have worked hard to standardise the handovers that occur during a shift.
I hope these reminders help!

Here are some handy blog entries and a short video to help.
‘Changes in Medical Errors after Implementation of a Handoff (Handover) Program’
EM in 5 video on Patient handoffs
EMJ article: The ABC of handover