Abstract

Purpose. The Transfer of Care bundle outlines a standardized process for safe patient hand-off communication. Hand-off communication includes nurse-to-nurse at the change of shift, while transferring a patient to another unit, or to another licensed individual. Background. LMHS employed two independent consulting firms to complete safety audits for the system. The first audit was completed in 2008, the second in 2009. Nurse-to-nurse communication was a major concern in both audits. Anytime patient care is transferred from care team member to another, there is risk pertinent information about the patient is not communicated. Any lapse in communicating patient information compromises patient safety. The literature review findings trends are standardization is critical for both communication process and elements. Standardization improves hand-off communication efficiency and accuracy.

Methodology. Staff nurse representatives from units throughout the system completed an extensive literature review; resulting in the development of the Transfer of Care bundle. The bundle outlines the process for nurse-to-nurse communication and the PASS ME SAFELEE acronym for required elements to communicate. An education and implementation plan was developed and tested on seven Phase One units.

Findings. Patient satisfaction scores, nursing report satisfaction surveys, and staff reporting of good catches will measure the effects of the bundle. Patient satisfaction scores and report satisfaction survey scores are recorded and trended on a scorecard. Results have shown continuous improvement on all Phase One units for patient satisfaction and nursing report satisfaction. Implications on practice. The Transfer of Care bundle standardizes what information is communicated and the process of information sharing. Compliance with the bundles increases patient safety when nurses are transferring care of the patient to another nurse.

Description

41st Biennial Convention - 29 October-2 November 2011. Theme: People and Knowledge: Connecting for Global Health. Held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center.

Author Details

Mary N. Willis MSN, RN-BC; Cynthia Brown MSN, MS, RN

Sigma Membership

Unknown

Lead Author Affiliation

Lee Memorial Health System, Fort Myers, Florida, USA

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Safety, Standardized Communication, Shared Governance

Conference Name

41st Biennial Convention

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Grapevine, Texas, USA

Conference Year

2011

Rights Holder

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Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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Transfer of care bundle: Standardizing nurse-to-nurse communication

Grapevine, Texas, USA

Purpose. The Transfer of Care bundle outlines a standardized process for safe patient hand-off communication. Hand-off communication includes nurse-to-nurse at the change of shift, while transferring a patient to another unit, or to another licensed individual. Background. LMHS employed two independent consulting firms to complete safety audits for the system. The first audit was completed in 2008, the second in 2009. Nurse-to-nurse communication was a major concern in both audits. Anytime patient care is transferred from care team member to another, there is risk pertinent information about the patient is not communicated. Any lapse in communicating patient information compromises patient safety. The literature review findings trends are standardization is critical for both communication process and elements. Standardization improves hand-off communication efficiency and accuracy.

Methodology. Staff nurse representatives from units throughout the system completed an extensive literature review; resulting in the development of the Transfer of Care bundle. The bundle outlines the process for nurse-to-nurse communication and the PASS ME SAFELEE acronym for required elements to communicate. An education and implementation plan was developed and tested on seven Phase One units.

Findings. Patient satisfaction scores, nursing report satisfaction surveys, and staff reporting of good catches will measure the effects of the bundle. Patient satisfaction scores and report satisfaction survey scores are recorded and trended on a scorecard. Results have shown continuous improvement on all Phase One units for patient satisfaction and nursing report satisfaction. Implications on practice. The Transfer of Care bundle standardizes what information is communicated and the process of information sharing. Compliance with the bundles increases patient safety when nurses are transferring care of the patient to another nurse.