We sought to better understand the preoperative neonatal intensive care unit to operating room (NICU-to-OR) handover process and to elicit barriers to effective handovers. We first conducted observations of NICU-to-OR handovers to ascertain current handover practices, including the participants involved, handover content, as well as barriers and facilitators of effective handovers. We then developed a survey tool to assess the generalizability of our findings to other NICUs across the country. The resulting pilot data highlight key areas for future research and potential interventions to improve the quality of NICU-to-OR care transitions.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CatchpoleKRde LevalMRMcEwanA. (2007). Patient handover from surgery to intensive care: Using Formula 1 pit-stop and aviation models to improve safety and quality. Paediatr Anaesth17, 470–8.
2.
CookRIRenderMWoodsDD (2000). Gaps in the continuity of care and progress on patient safety. Brit Med J320, 791-4.
3.
DonchinYGopherDOlinM. (1995). A look into the nature and causes of human errors in the intensive care unit. Crit Care Med23, 294-300.
4.
GreenbergCCRegenbogenSEStuddertDMLipsitzSRRogersSOZinnerMJGawandeAA (2007). Patterns of communication breakdowns resulting in injury to surgical patients. J Am Coll Surg204, 533-40.
5.
HarrisP.. (2009). Research electronic data capture (REDCap) - A metadata-driven methodology and workflow process for providing translational research informatics support. J Biomed Inform42, 377-81.
6.
HorwitzLIMeredithTSchuurJDShahNRKulkarniRGJenqGY (2009). Dropping the baton: A qualitative analysis of failures during the transition from emergency department to inpatient care. Ann Emerg Med53, 701-10.
7.
JoyBFElliottEHardyC. (2011). Standardized multidisciplinary protocol improves handover of cardiac surgery patients to the intensive care unit. Pediatr Crit Care Med12, 304–8.
8.
KaushalR. (2001) Medication errors and adverse drug events in pediatric inpatients. JAMA285, 2114-20.
9.
QuinnDCReynoldsPQEasdownJLorincA (2009). Using the healthcare matrix with interns and medical students as a tool to effect change. South Med J102, 816-22.
10.
RajuNSureshGHigginsRD (2011). Patient safety in the context of neonatal intensive care: research and educational opportunities. Pediatr Res70, 109-15.
11.
SlonimADLaFleuBJAhmedWJosephJG. (2003). Hospital-reported medical errors in children. Pediatrics111, 617-21.
12.
WeingerMBSlagleJMKuntzA. (2010). Improving actual handover behavior with a simulation-based training intervention. Proc Human Factors Ergon Soc957-61.
13.
ZavalkoffSRRazackSILavoieJ. (2011). Handover after pediatric heart surgery: A simple tool improves information exchange. Pediatr Crit Care Med12, 309–13.
