Clinical handover processes Overview of what is required Suggested approach Examples of evidence 6.2 Establishing and maintaining structured and documented processes for clinical handover 6.2.1 The workforce has access to documented structured processes for clinical handover that include: preparing for handover, including setting the location and time whilst maintaining continuity of patient care organising relevant workforce members to participate being aware of the clinical context and patient needs participating in effective handover resulting in transfer of responsibility and accountability for care. To achieve this action your community health Policies, procedures and/or protocols should be Policies, procedures and/or protocols outlining processes for structured clinical handover service needs to implement and maintain the fit for the local context and include: relevant to your community health service that structured clinical handover processes described identifying the situations where clinical includes information on the situations, methods in the policy (see ) to ensure timely and relevant handover should occur, such as during shift and content of information that should be handover according to the local context. changes, when consumers are transferred or transferred. referred within and between health service organisations, or when services cease Observation of workforce access to tools and resources for a structured clinical handover documenting structured clinical handover process. processes to convey the relevant minimum Transfer guidelines and forms for transferring data set of information to transfer consumers between and within health services, responsibility and accountability between and when the consumer stops receiving care. clinicians Orientation manuals, education resources and considering time management strategies to records of attendance at training by the ensure relevant members of the workforce are workforce on the protocols for present, organised, educated and prepared organisation’s clinical handover. for clinical handover understanding that handover results in transfer of responsibility and accountability for consumer care. Ensure the workforce are aware of their roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for clinical handover by providing access to appropriate education and training about the clinical handover framework.
Clinical handover processes Overview of what is required Suggested approach Examples of evidence 6.2 Establishing and maintaining structured and documented processes for clinical handover 6.2.1 The workforce has access to documented structured processes for clinical handover that include: preparing for handover, including setting the location and time whilst maintaining continuity of patient care organising relevant workforce members to participate being aware of the clinical context and patient needs participating in effective handover resulting in transfer of responsibility and accountability for care. To achieve this action your community health service needs to implement and maintain the structured clinical handover processes described in the policy (see ) to ensure timely and relevant handover according to the local context. Policies, procedures and/or protocols should be fit for the local context and include: identifying the situations where clinical handover should occur, such as during shift changes, when consumers are transferred or referred within and between health service organisations, or when services cease documenting structured clinical handover processes to convey the relevant minimum data set of information to transfer responsibility and accountability between clinicians considering time management strategies to ensure relevant members of the workforce are present, organised, educated and prepared for clinical handover understanding that handover results in transfer of responsibility and accountability for consumer care. Ensure the workforce are aware of their roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for clinical handover by providing access to appropriate education and training about the clinical handover framework. Policies, procedures and/or protocols outlining processes for structured clinical handover relevant to your community health service that includes information on the situations, methods and content of information that should be transferred. Observation of workforce access to tools and resources for a structured clinical handover process. Transfer guidelines and forms for transferring consumers between and within health services, and when the consumer stops receiving care. Orientation manuals, education resources and records of attendance at training by the workforce on the organisation’s protocols for clinical handover.