Lost in relocation: longitudinal surveys evaluating the effectiveness of ICU to ward handover after the introduction of an electronic patient record

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Poor communication and lack of standardized handover practices contribute to adverse events. Intensive care organizations recommend standardized, structured written and verbal handover. Objectives Investigate the effectiveness of, and barriers to, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patient handover at ward transfer. Screen for patient safety incidents related to poor handover and improve practice where deficiencies are identified. Methods A survey of ward doctors about specific ICU to ward transfers and online surveys ascertaining opinions of handover processes were sent to ward-based and ICU doctors at a large, adult, university affiliated, Australian quaternary hospital. We delivered departmental education and created then publicized a new electronic ICU transfer summary. The summary included a mandatory tick-box to confirm verbal handover completion. Surveys re-assessing practice were then performed. Results Forty ward-based doctors were surveyed about specific transfers, with 7 (18%) instances of issues related to handover identified. Eighty-seven ward doctors completed the pre-interventions survey; 48 (55%) were aware of the existing written transfer summary. Post-interventions, 47 (75%) of 63 ward doctor responders were aware of it (p < 0.05). Pre-interventions, 14 (16%) ward doctors rated ICU handovers as excellent or good, rising to 21 (34%) post-interventions (p < 0.05). Thirty-nine ICU doctors completed the pre-interventions survey; 5 (13%) rated ICU to ward handover as excellent or good, rising to 9 (35%) when re-surveyed (p = 0.097). Conclusions The perceived quality of ICU to ward handover improved after our interventions. However, ICU doctors continue to transfer patients without verbally handing over, with contacting the ward team representing a significant handover barrier.