Evaluating handover practice in an acute NHS trust

Abstract

Good nursing handover is central to the delivery of high-quality care. However, there are no national tools available to audit and benchmark practice standards in this area. Following a review of the literature, evidence-based best practice standards were identified and used by the author to audit nursing handover in one acute NHS trust in the UK. Results of the audit were used to assure quality of care and identify areas for improvement.