Structured Handover in the Pediatric Postanesthesia Care Unit.

To establish a structured handover in the pediatric postanesthesia care unit.An observational prequality and postquality improvement design was used.Convenience samples of 52 preimplementation and 51 postimplementation handover interactions (N = 103) were observed and compared to a 42-item Introductions, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendations, & Questions checklist. Patient care team members' satisfaction was assessed using voluntary electronic surveys. Data were analyzed for descriptive measures and differences in the pre- and postchecklist, and satisfaction total scores were compared using a two-sample t test.The implementation of the handover checklist resulted in a statistically significant increase in the percentage of items discussed during five of six handover phases (P < .001). Overall, a significant increase in provider satisfaction was demonstrated from preimplementation to postimplementation (P < .01). The average duration of handover (in minutes) was not significantly different from pre (mean = 5.80 ± 3.80) to post (mean = 6.80 ± 2.30), P = .15.A structured handover checklist is associated with increased communication of handover content information and improved provider satisfaction. No statistically significant effect on handover duration time was found.

Duke Scholars

Author Emily Funk School of Nursing

Author Brett Thomas Morgan School of Nursing