The ability to transfer knowledge and information between shift members is one of the most important elements in shift handover, as it ensures continuity of care.
If you are new to the healthcare industry or a seasoned veteran, you may have noticed that there are some common challenges that all healthcare workers face when it comes to shifting handover.
Here we will discuss 5 key steps you can take to improve your shift handover process and ensure better patient outcomes.
Table of Contents
Improve communication
Communication is the key to effective shift handover
A handover must be effective, not just because it’s required by your supervisor or HR department, but because it’s essential for delivering quality care. Communication is a two-way process that involves both the outgoing and incoming nurses. This means you can’t just worry about what you’re saying – you also need to make sure that your partner understands what you’ve said (and vice versa).
Shift tracker is a mobile application that lets you manage employee schedules on the go. It works as an extension of your company’s existing HR management system so you don’t have to rely on spreadsheets or manual processes. When we have difficulty understanding each other, our communication becomes less natural and more formalized, leading us away from our goal of seamless handoff.
Write it down
It’s easy to assume that verbal handovers are clear, consistent and accurate. After all, you’re speaking to someone face-to-face. But if you’re not careful, there’s a good chance that what you’re saying won’t translate accurately into writing later on. The best way to ensure that your message is understood by the next person in line is to write down what’s important as soon as possible after your shift ends – even before leaving the office or hospital area where the transfer takes place.
Be clear and specific
Be specific and clear in your communication.
When you’re on shift, it’s tempting to make assumptions about what the next person needs to know. But if you leave out important information or use vague language, your partner won’t be able to do his or her job effectively. A colleague of mine once said, “Don’t assume that because the first thing worked for me, it’ll work for them too.” In other words: there’s no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to handover. You need to tailor your notes based on each individual’s experience and preferences—and even then there will still be some differences between people! So try not to let pride get in the way of being specific and clear in everything that goes into your handover notes (and everything else).
Convey the right information
The timing of the handover is crucial, as it’s not just about transferring information. You need to give your colleagues time to process all that you’ve told them and prepare for their shift, so they can hit the ground running from day one. Timing is also important because it ensures that everyone knows what they’re doing, which prevents confusion and errors.
Shift management software provides you with the tools to schedule your employees’ shifts and manage their time off requests. Timing should be consistent throughout your organization; there should be no variation in how long each shift is shared or when it occurs so that everyone has a clear picture of what’s happening during their shifts and how they fit into the big picture. Most importantly, however, make sure that your handover doesn’t miss out on any important points–this will only cause confusion when someone else takes over later on!
Know how to observe and interpret
It is said that effective communication is the key to a successful shift handover. Knowing how to observe and interpret is important for effective communication. The shift tracker app is a mobile application that allows employees to clock in and out of scheduled shifts. It also tracks their hours so that they can be paid accordingly. A good way of observing and interpreting what others are doing around you before you start working is by using the Senses technique.
With this technique, you can:
- Observe what your team members are doing during their shifts
- Observe what your colleagues are doing during their shifts, and
- Observe what your customers are doing during their shifts.
Employee shift scheduling software is a type of business management software that allows companies to schedule employee shifts for multiple locations.
Final words
Good shift handover is about more than just the content of your notes. If you can’t communicate effectively with your colleagues, that leaves room for confusion and potential mistakes to be made—which could have serious consequences. Fortunately, these tips will help you communicate clearly with your team and avoid any missed details or mishaps.
Remember: Shift handover communication isn’t just about following the right steps; it’s also about being thorough and detailed in your approach.