Deficits in information transfer between anaesthesiologist and postanaesthesia care unit staff: an analysis of patient handover

Abstract

Background The immediate postoperative period is important, as the patient recovers from the acute derangements resulting from the surgical insult and anaesthesia. Incomplete or incorrect communication between the anaesthesiologist and the postanaesthesia care unit nurse during the transfer process may lead to dangerous clinical mistakes. The literature examining handovers from operating room to the postanaesthesia care unit is scarce. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to examine the current transfer practice through observation of handovers between the anaesthesiologists and the postanaesthesia care unit staff in order to identify data omissions. The secondary objective was to learn which data items the clinicians and nurses thought were a necessary part of the transfer process and whether this information was communicated at the time of handover. Design A prospective observational study. Setting Academic hospital in Toronto, Canada. Participants and interventions After Research Ethics Board approval, a prospective observational study was conducted at a university-affiliated teaching centre. During a 2-month period, multiple observations of patient handover were performed. The data provided were marked on a checklist. At the end of the study, participating nurses and physicians were surveyed regarding the necessity of communicating different items on the checklist. Results A total of 526 transfers were observed. Of 29 data items examined, only two items (typ…