ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Breakdown in communication is a common cause of errors in hospitals. Aim/Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and utilization of evidence-based recommendations for nurse-to-nurse shift handover on an oncology critical care unit. DESIGN: Observational study. METHODS: Nurses were provided education that integrated evidence-based recommendations for handover of care. Nursing shift report was observed for one month in 2015 and for one month in 2016. Results were evaluated for inclusion of 24 evidence-based essential elements for handover communication. RESULTS: Total completeness of handover increased with 86.64% (N = 38) in 2015 and 88.68% (N = 35) in 2016. Interruptions during handover were positively correlated with length of handover (r = 0.587, n = 18, p = .010), thus confirming the need for structured, more effective handover methods. CONCLUSIONS: Providing education, mentoring, and real-time feedback to motivated staff may lead to improvements in handover communication methods, yielding positive patient outcomes.
