This is the second National Clinical Guideline on Communication (Clinical Handover) which
was commissioned by the NCEC following the HIQA/Galway Report (October 2013). Details
of the wider context of these guidelines can be found in the Communication (Clinical Handover)
in Maternity Services, National Clinical Guideline No. 5, page 9, available at the following
link:
http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/National-Clinical-Guideline-No.-5-Clinical-
Handover-Nov2014.pdf
Phase 1 was tasked with developing a national clinical guideline on communication (clinical
handover) for in-patient maternity hospital services, this was completed and published in
November 2014.
Phase 2 was tasked with developing a national clinical guideline on communication (clinical
handover) within acute and children’s hospital services and submit this to the NCEC for quality
assurance endorsement and publication.
To address this the agreed HSE process was that the Guideline Development Group (GDG)
would make recommendations to the National Implementation Group – HSE addressing the
recommendations relating to communication (clinical handover) in the HSE Report (June 2013),
the Coroner’s Report (April 2013) and the Health Information & Quality Authority (HIQA) Report
(October 2013).
Effective clinical handover can be enabled by having clear procedures, supportive work
environments and educating staff on the potential impact of handover on patient safety.
Factors that may affect timeframes for communication and clinical handover will also be
considered such as:
• Staff shortages due to retirement, leave and emigration;
• The fiscal environment;
• The lack of designated time and space;
• Lack of training.
This is not an exhaustive list and other factors may be included for discussion/consideration. This
body of work will also inform the work of other National Clinical Guidelines.
Without effective communication, competent individuals form an incompetent team (Lingard
2012).
1.1.2 Risks associated with clinical handover
Risks associated with clinical handover whether as part of shift or inter-departmental clinical
handover or communication of information in relation to the deterioration in a patient’s
condition, are similar and include:
• Inappropriate or delayed treatment being provided for patients including the delay in
critical referrals which threaten the life, health or well being of patients in the acute hospital
setting
• Loss of trust and confidence amongst staff and patients in the performance of the healthcare
system as result of inaccurate and/or incomplete information
• Inefficient use of time and resources leading to a breakdown in the continuity of care
• Risks associated with poor clinical handover practices may be further compounded by