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Emergency Department to Ward Handover

February 07, 2021

Overview:

Clinical handover of a patient from the Emergency Department to the in-patient ward.

Alignment to Western Health Best Care Framework:

Safe Care & Coordinated Care

Why is this important:

Clinical handover is defined as ‘the transfer of professional responsibility and accountability for some or all aspects of care for  a patient or a group of patients, to another person or professional group on a temporary or permanent basis’.

Handover applies when transitions of care occur. A standardised approach to clinical handover facilitates effective and efficient communication, providing all staff with clear expectations and responsibilities for the ongoing care of the patient. This minimises risk to the patient.

What does this looks like in practice:

Complete on EMR

Phone Handover

ISBAR Handover

Ensure all medications are signed correctly on the MAR. Use ISBAR. Identify
Record alerts, allergies, lines & devices. Allergies and Alerts including pressure injuries and BOC score. Situation
COVID nurse risk assessment. Lines & Devices. Background
Complete fluid balance and risk assessments. Document handover has been received. Assessment
Review all admission notes. Request
Final set of vital signs.

 

Figure 1: Example of ED to Ward handover documentation

Associated Documents:

Clinical Handover -Procedure and unitED QRG