Authors (including presenting author) :
Tang WK(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Intensive Care Unit, Yan Chai Hospital
Introduction :
Effective communication is crucial for successful shift handovers among nurses, significantly enhancing patient care and safety. In the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where critically ill patients require precise attention, new nursing staff often struggle with handovers. In 2024, approximately one-third of the nursing workforce in the ICU at Yan Chai Hospital consisted of newly qualified nurses, highlighting the need for improved communication strategies.
To address these challenges, the ICU developed a comprehensive communication kit aimed at enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of nursing handovers. This kit focuses on clear and structured communication, which is vital for continuity of care. Key components include: 1) a step-by-step communication model, 2) a modified patient care plan tailored to current treatment needs, 3) a standardized patient folder to streamline documentation, and 4) a convenient bedside reference.
Objectives :
The primary objectives of this initiative are to:
• Provide guidance for better nursing handovers using the Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) model.
• Identify patients' current needs through a modified patient care plan.
• Standardize the sequence of required documents in patient folders for clearer communication.
• Summarize commonly used protocols and guidelines on a single page.
Methodology :
The SBAR model was introduced to nursing staff using flowcharts. Nurses initiate handovers by presenting the current medical diagnosis and issues (Situation). This is followed by a discussion of the patient's social and medical history, clinical alerts, and treatment (Background). Nurses then present their assessments, including vital sign trends and laboratory results (Assessment). Finally, they summarize the case using the modified patient care plan (Recommendation).
The patient care plan emphasizes immediate treatment needs and future tasks, helping the incoming nurse remain aware of patient requirements. Documentation in patient folders was streamlined for clarity, systematically, and a one-page QR code bedside reference sheet was created, allowing nurses to quickly access guidelines via their mobile devices.
Result & Outcome :
A staff satisfaction survey revealed that 100% of ICU nurses felt more confident and found handovers clearer and more effective. The modified patient care plan provided useful hints for managing patients, while feedback indicated that the standardized patient folder improved clarity. The QR code reference sheet contributed to a paperless environment, enabling nurses to access necessary information with ease.
