Title: Cross cover subspecialties and the handover challenges

Biography:

Abstract

Efficient handover is the backbone in any clinical setting for patient safety and continuity of care. Since the European Work Time Directive (EWTD) came into place with partial hybrid shifts and multiple specialties covering as cross cover, its importance has further increased especially out of hours and over the weekend. Royal College of Surgeon, Royal College of Physicians and British Medical Association have published guidelines for a safe and efficient handover. In this study we will share our hand over process, the compliance amongst the subspecialties involved in the cross over of reviewing trauma cases, any patterns amongst different specialties, the difficulties being faced and ideas to improve the handover process based on the above guidelines. We monitored the hand over sheets used in the process, over a 6 months period, collected data and analyzed missing information, processed ideas on how to decrease the chances of missing any patient information which included use of trust shared drive, further modifications in handover sheets, devised self-explanatory hand injury proformas and face to face simulated scenarios and hand examination during specialty induction. This is to ensure patient safety and delivering the appropriate management with continuity of care in a timely fashion.