Postoperative Information Transfers: An Integrative Review

Abstract

The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize and critique the literature related to protocols, checklists, and tools designed to facilitate information transfers, that is, handovers, from the operating room to postanesthesia care unit clinicians and to provide guidance for selecting an appropriate instrument. Integrative review of the literature. Guided by the framework of Whittemore and Knafl, an integrative literature search was conducted and included literature sources dated January 2000 to January 2015. Select search terms included the following: post-operative handover(s), handover(s), handoff, post-operative handoff, communication, information transfer, checklists, tools, measurement, communication, and PACU. Articles were selected that described development of postoperative handover instruments. Seventeen articles were identified. Instruments described in the articles were tabled and synthesized based on a priori categories described by the Donabedian conceptual model. Developing an instrument to improve postoperative handover should integrate recommendations from key stakeholders, include evidence-based practices, and reference information from existing instruments.