One size fits all? Challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender/recipient ratio
INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to investigate the challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a university hospital that has a high handover sender/recipient ratio. METHODS: We adopted a multifaceted approach, comprising recording and analysis of handover information, ra...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
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2015
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/106729 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/25096 |
| _version_ | 1811697203719176192 |
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| author | Yang, Xi Jessie Park, Taezoon Siah, Tien Ho Kewin Ang, Bee Leng Sophia Donchin, Yoel |
| author2 | School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering |
| author_facet | School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Yang, Xi Jessie Park, Taezoon Siah, Tien Ho Kewin Ang, Bee Leng Sophia Donchin, Yoel |
| author_sort | Yang, Xi Jessie |
| collection | NTU |
| description | INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to investigate the challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a university hospital that has a high handover sender/recipient ratio. METHODS: We adopted a multifaceted approach, comprising recording and analysis of handover information, rating of handover quality, and shadowing of handover recipients. Data was collected at the general medical ward of a university hospital in Singapore for a period of three months. Handover information transfer (i.e. senders’ and recipients’ verbal communication, and recipients’ handwritten notes) and handover environmental factors were analysed. The relationship between ‘to-do’ tasks and information transfer, handover quality and handover duration was examined using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Verbal handovers for 152 patients were observed. Handwritten notes on 102 (67.1%) patients and handover quality ratings for 98 (64.5%) patients were collected. Although there was good task prioritisation (information transfer: p < 0.005, handover duration: p < 0.01), incomplete information transfer and poor implementation of non-modifiable identifiers were observed. The high sender/recipient ratio of the hospital made face-to-face and/or bedside handover difficult to implement. Although the current handover method (i.e. use of telephone communication) allowed for interactive communication, it resulted in systemic information loss due to the lack of written information. The handover environment was chaotic in the high sender/recipient ratio setting, and the physicians had no designated handover time or location. CONCLUSION: Handovers in high sender/recipient ratio settings are challenging. Efforts should be made to improve the handover processes in such situations, so that patient care is not compromised. |
| first_indexed | 2024-10-01T07:51:32Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | ntu-10356/106729 |
| institution | Nanyang Technological University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-10-01T07:51:32Z |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ntu-10356/1067292023-03-04T17:20:09Z One size fits all? Challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender/recipient ratio Yang, Xi Jessie Park, Taezoon Siah, Tien Ho Kewin Ang, Bee Leng Sophia Donchin, Yoel School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering DRNTU::Business::Information technology::Health services administration INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to investigate the challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a university hospital that has a high handover sender/recipient ratio. METHODS: We adopted a multifaceted approach, comprising recording and analysis of handover information, rating of handover quality, and shadowing of handover recipients. Data was collected at the general medical ward of a university hospital in Singapore for a period of three months. Handover information transfer (i.e. senders’ and recipients’ verbal communication, and recipients’ handwritten notes) and handover environmental factors were analysed. The relationship between ‘to-do’ tasks and information transfer, handover quality and handover duration was examined using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Verbal handovers for 152 patients were observed. Handwritten notes on 102 (67.1%) patients and handover quality ratings for 98 (64.5%) patients were collected. Although there was good task prioritisation (information transfer: p < 0.005, handover duration: p < 0.01), incomplete information transfer and poor implementation of non-modifiable identifiers were observed. The high sender/recipient ratio of the hospital made face-to-face and/or bedside handover difficult to implement. Although the current handover method (i.e. use of telephone communication) allowed for interactive communication, it resulted in systemic information loss due to the lack of written information. The handover environment was chaotic in the high sender/recipient ratio setting, and the physicians had no designated handover time or location. CONCLUSION: Handovers in high sender/recipient ratio settings are challenging. Efforts should be made to improve the handover processes in such situations, so that patient care is not compromised. Published version 2015-02-26T01:27:00Z 2019-12-06T22:17:05Z 2015-02-26T01:27:00Z 2019-12-06T22:17:05Z 2015 2015 Journal Article Yang, X. J., Park, T., Siah, T. H. K., Ang, B. L. S., & Donchin, Y. (2015). One size fits all? Challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender/recipient ratio. Singapore medical journal, 56(02), 109-115. 0037-5675 https://hdl.handle.net/10356/106729 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/25096 10.11622/smedj.2014198 25532519 en Singapore medical journal © 2015 Singapore Medical Association. This paper was published in One size fits all? Challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender/recipient ratio and is made available as an electronic reprint (preprint) with permission of Singapore Medical Association. The paper can be found at the following official DOI: [http://dx.doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2014198]. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law. 7 p. application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | DRNTU::Business::Information technology::Health services administration Yang, Xi Jessie Park, Taezoon Siah, Tien Ho Kewin Ang, Bee Leng Sophia Donchin, Yoel One size fits all? Challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender/recipient ratio |
| title | One size fits all? Challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender/recipient ratio |
| title_full | One size fits all? Challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender/recipient ratio |
| title_fullStr | One size fits all? Challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender/recipient ratio |
| title_full_unstemmed | One size fits all? Challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender/recipient ratio |
| title_short | One size fits all? Challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender/recipient ratio |
| title_sort | one size fits all challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a hospital with high sender recipient ratio |
| topic | DRNTU::Business::Information technology::Health services administration |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/106729 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/25096 |
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