You should fine-tune your handoff process
When ED nurses at University of California Medical Center — Irvine transfer a trauma patient, a verbal report is given to the accepting unit.
"This report is given after reassessing the patient and making sure they are stable and appropriate for transfer," says Sanna K. Henzi, RN, MSN, trauma injury prevention coordinator.
After the verbal report is given, the trauma patient then is transported to the intensive care unit (ICU)/telemetry unit by an ED nurse and a trauma technician with a portable EKG monitor/defibrillator, advanced cardiac life support drugs, and oxygen, she says.
The ED nurse assists with the transfer and makes sure all questions are answered before leaving the bedside. "This includes a quick neuro exam by the receiving nurse and the ED nurse simultaneously. The ED nurse then documents the transfer and the patient's condition upon handoff," says Henzi.
However, handoff communication is not only between an ED nurse and an inpatient nurse, but also between ED nurses and other members of the health care team during shift changes or break times, says Cam Brandt, RN, MS, CEN, CPN, educator for emergency services at Cook Children's Health Care System in Fort Worth, TX.
A standardized method of handoff should be used for all units, says Brandt. "We use a faxed report that includes vital signs, serial Glasgow Coma Score, treatments, medications, equipment, and any concerns," she says. "We also have a policy that designates the appropriate health care personnel required to accompany the patient during transport." For example, a child with deterioration in level of consciousness requires a discussion between the ED and inpatient nurse, to ensure the appropriate level of nursing care is maintained.
"Concerns would be addressed with the referring and receiving physicians and charge nurses," says Brandt. "Transport of this child would require appropriate monitoring and resuscitative equipment and transport personnel, and a copy of the chart with a discharge summary."
When ED nurses at University of California Medical Center Irvine transfer a trauma patient, a verbal report is given to the accepting unit.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content