Clinical handover in the trauma setting: a qualitative study of paramedics and trauma team members

Abstract

Background: Clinical handover between paramedics and the trauma team is undertaken in a time-pressured environment. Paramedics are often required to handover complex problems to a multitude of staff. There is evidence that information loss occurs at this transition. The aims of this project were to (1) develop a minimum dataset to assist paramedics provide handover; (2) identify attributes of effective and ineffective handover; (3) determine the feasibility of advanced data transmission; and (4) identify how to best display data in trauma bays.

Methods: Qualitative study of paramedics and trauma team members. A thematic analysis was undertaken using grounded theory.

Results: Ten paramedics and 17 trauma team members were interviewed. A minimum dataset modified on an existing template was developed to include fields required by the trauma team to inform immediate treatment. Respondents stated that an effective handover was one which was delivered succinctly and in a structured manner, and contained only vital data necessary to direct immediate treatment. Advanced transmission of data to the receiving hospital was widely supported. While computers carried by paramedics were capable of exporting data to the receiving hospital, barriers such as time constraints, workflow issues and infection control issues impeded the ability to do this in the current environment.

Discussion: There is support for the adoption and further evaluation of a handover template. It can provide valuable structure to the face-to-face handover, and experience from other specialties suggests it can reduce information loss. Strategies to enable information to be transmitted in advance of the patients' arrival must address concerns voiced by paramedics.