Information Handover in Hospitals
Handover of clinical information between after-hours and day staff in hospitals is currently under-used despite newly published guidelines and official requirements, according to a study published in the latest issue of the Medical Journal of Australia.
The researchers looked at the uptake of clinical handover since the introduction of new guidelines.
Professor Robert Fassett of the Department of Medicine at Launceston General Hospital, and colleagues, found that, of the 53 hospitals they surveyed, only 31 were using medical morning handover reports (MMHRs).
The authors found that use of MMHR was much lower in hospitals in rural and regional areas than those in capital cities.
"There is currently heightened interest and focus on ensuring adequate clinical handover… as instanced by the recent publication of the Australian Medical Association guidelines," the authors say.
The low rate of use of MMHR is not in keeping with these guidelines or with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians accreditation requirements that a consultant-led clinical handover should be conducted.
"An increased commitment to this quality activity is required," Prof Fassett says.
The authors suggest that hospitals could be encouraged to conduct MMHR if it was linked to other accreditation procedures.
The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.
The original article can be viewed online at www.mja.com.au
CONTACT: Prof Robert Fassett 0419 399 571