Ensuring continuing care: styles and efficiency of the handover process

Abstract

Handover is seen as an important part of each nurse's shift, not only for information sharing, but from the resource management aspect of both the time and the subsequent financial cost of nurses being involved. This article discusses the four main styles of handover reported in the nursing literature over the past 15 years. These are referred to as the recorded, the bedside, the written and the verbal (traditional). It also comments on 'what to say advice', 'ritual' and 'quality' aspects of handover, which have a bearing on the efficiency of the handover process. This review highlights three recommendations that could aid in maintaining an efficient process. These are: regular reviews of the handover process; written guidelines for the content of handover; and the use of a pre-prepared handover sheet.