Development of an orthopaedic handover system to improve communication for inpatient care

Abstract

Background:Multiple studies have documented that poor patient handovers are a source of medical errors and increased morbidity. Key portions of any patient handover process are communication of demographic information, the major events in a patient's clinical course, anticipated events, and necessary tasks. Verbal communication, although essential to the handover process, is not enough to ensure adequate dissemination of information.