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 (type of surgery and analgesics
given) were reported in more than 90% of handovers. Only three
items (difficult intubation, ST-wave changes and co-morbidities/
healthy) were reported in more than 80% of cases. Many items
deemed as needed to be reported by the participants in the
study were not communicated.
Conclusion This study demonstrates that the handover process
is inconsistent and in some cases information defined as
important by the physicians and the nurses is not transferred.
Further studies need to investigate whether a handover protocol
leads to a minimisation of omissions in information transfer.
Eur J Anaesthesiol 2012; 29:438–445
Published online 19 May 2012