title: Exploring the structure and organization of information within nursing clinical handovers.
abstract: Clinical handover is the primary source of patient information for nurses; however, inadequate information transfer compromises patient safety. We investigated the content and organization of information conveyed at 81 handovers. A structure that captures and presents the information transferred at handover emerged: identification of the patient and clinical risks, clinical history/presentation, clinical status, care plan and outcomes/goals of care (ICCCO). This approach covers essential information while allowing for prioritization of information when required. Further research into the impact of ICCCO on patient safety is in progress.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Sydney, Penrith South DC, New South Wales, Australia. m.johnson@uws.edu.au
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jefferies
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicholls
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D009517:New South Wales; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D062209:Patient Handoff / Q000458:organization & administration*; D061214:Patient Safety; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care