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Do Bedside Handovers Reduce Handover Duration? An Observational Study With Implications for Evidence‐Based Practice
Author(s) -
Malfait Simon,
Van Hecke Ann,
Van Biesen Wim,
Eeckloo Kristof
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
worldviews on evidence‐based nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.052
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1741-6787
pISSN - 1545-102X
DOI - 10.1111/wvn.12330
Subject(s) - handover , duration (music) , observational study , medicine , overtime , patient safety , computer science , nursing , medical emergency , computer network , health care , art , literature , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Bedside handover is increasingly used and studied in nursing due to the method's acclaimed positive effects on patient safety, patient participation, communication, and efficiency. Still, reported results about its impact on handover duration are ambiguous. Revealing the root cause of these ambiguous effects is important, as increased duration could lead to overtime, lower job satisfaction, and failure in implementation. In contrast, decreased handover duration could lead to more efficient nursing care and facilitate implementation. Aim To explore the effects of bedside handovers on the handover duration by comparing wards before and after the implementation of bedside handovers. Methods As part of a multicentered longitudinal study, observations ( N = 638) with time measurement were performed. Approximately 22% of the observations were performed by two researchers to check reliability. These time measurements were compared to the handover duration before the implementation of bedside handover, determined through interviews ( n = 105), unstructured observations ( n = 40), and a review of time schedules ( n = 12). A descriptive, comparative research design was used. Results On average, a bedside handover takes 146 s for one patient (83 s–204 s). Depending on the previously used handover model, the number of patients allocated to each nurse, and the use of a structured handover content, time gain or loss as a result of introducing the bedside handover can be expected. Linking Evidence to Action The effect on time depends on the organizational changes necessary for the implementation of bedside handovers, most importantly the use of a decentralized handover model and structured handover content. Implementing bedside handover will therefore not always lead to a decrease in time use. A matrix for estimating the effects of bedside handover on time use is presented. While using bedside handovers will not always lead to decreased handover time, it will increase direct patient contact, increasing the possibilities for patient participation and enhancing patient safety.