This deployment scenario is the scenario proposed by the IEEE 802.16 m in its documentation regarding handover evaluation methodology.
Role responsibility needs to be clarified across the organisation and systems need to be implemented to facilitate documentation and handover communication in the fragmented system of care functioning in hospitals today.
The aim of this study is to test the clinical reliability of the PACT and evaluate whether the use of PACT will (1) enhance the recognition and response to patients at risk of deterioration in PACU; (2) improve documentation for handover from PACU nurse to ward nurse; (3) result in improved patient outcomes and (4) reduce healthcare costs.
Their concern, therefore, concentrates on the handover, communication and consistent documentation of decisions within the Trust.
The study did not consider conversations that may have taken place after the handover or whether written documentation was consulted subsequently.
The prospective design and direct observation of nursing care within the post-anaesthetic care unit will identify processes and data not captured in the medical record, such as consultations with medical staff, nursing handover and gaps in documentation.
The empirical rational strategy was used to convince others of the veracity of the change by making reference to evidence base documentation on the positive outcomes that bedside handover might bring, for example, increase patient satisfaction.
There is some evidence to suggest that electronic nursing documentation systems encompassing electronic progress notes, care plans, handover sheets, scheduling and funding calculations within facilities reduce the time spent on documentation [ 22].
The AEC review said it "met difficulty in obtaining the full set of requested records", and that "sufficient documentation was not readily available" due to a failure to appropriately handover documents from staff.
Electronic documentation systems could also potentially reduce the time spent at handover as nurses would not have to search for information from different locations as is currently performed [ 23].
8 Factors that may affect the quality of handover include unclear structure of the handover conversation; 9 frequent distractions; 10 inadequate documentation 11 and overreliance on documentation; 12 and a lack of training in handover and non-technical skills.
