In the healthcare industry, it is not uncommon for different healthcare professionals to treat a patient. This can happen because of shift changes or other circumstances. This switch is known as a “handoff” and it is actually very common. During this transition, it is important that not only the patients but also the staff feel at ease. So, in this blog, we will go into more detail about what a nursing handoff is specifically, what it entails, and the importance of a nursing handoff report. What is Nursing Handoff Exactly? Generally speaking, a “handoff” is the transferring of patient knowledge or information, along with the responsibility of care from one physician or team of clinicians to another. For nurses, a nursing handoff is also named a “bedside handoff”. It is a time when patient responsibility is transferred from one nurse to another at the change of the shift. A nurse can’t stay on duty 24/7 for their patients. Doing such a thing could cause quick burnout or compassion fatigue, so this is where a nursing handoff becomes extremely important, for both the patient and the nurse. According to Stanford Health Care, the goals of a nursing handoff are: Providing continuity of care and increase patient safety Generate communication between nurses by providing structured time for transitioning Decrease the patient’s and family’s anxiety and feelings of “abandonment” at the shift change Increase teamwork, relationships among nurses, and nurse-patient relationships The purpose of a handoff is to provide the next nurse with all of the vital information that they may need to treat the patient to the best of their ability. The effectiveness and efficiency of the nursing handoff can impact the patient’s safety and stress levels. The Importance of a Nursing Handoff Report So why is a nursing handoff report so important? Nursing handoff reports are extremely important in providing the next nurse on duty with all of the pertinent information for the patients they’ll be taking on. Perhaps you’ve received a nursing handoff report quickly because the previous nurse was exhausted and now you are left confused. Yet, you are still responsible for the care and safety of these patients. Thorough reports make it easy for you to provide efficient care. This is why nursing handoff reports are extremely important during this chaotic transition between shifts. To ensure that your patients are being well taken care of, make sure you provide the next nurse with a clear account of everything. In the next section, we’ll discuss a few things that are essential to include in any nursing handoff report to make it successful. Five Sections to Include in a Nursing Handoff Report As discussed previously, it is important to provide a clear account of the patient’s situation for the next nurse in your nursing handoff report. Consider including these five sections in your report to facilitate an easy transition. 1. Patient Overview For your reports, it is important to include a broad picture of the shift. This can be given in a brief narrative that includes any critical facts or on-going issues. 2. Assessment First, the initial part of your patient report should then include basic information about the patient, such as: Name Age Gender Allergies Code status Codeword Admission history IV access Medical history Next, the second part of the patient report can then include medical information such as: Recent Vital Signs Critical Labs / Results Exams for: Neurological Cardio Pulmonary Gastrointestinal Skin/wounds Musculoskeletal etc. All of this will provide the next nurse with vital information and ensure that they don’t go in blindsided. 3. Safety Concerns In this section, tell the nurse about the patient environment and...