A concept analysis of person-centred handover practices: The meaning in emergency departments

Abstract

Background: Transfer of patients from the prehospital to the in-hospital environment is a frequent occurrence requiring a handover process. Habitually, emergency care practitioners and healthcare professionals focus on patient care activities, not prioritising person-centred handover practices and not initiating person-centred care.

Aim: The aim of this concept analysis was to define the concept person centred handover practices.

Methods: The eight steps for Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis.

Results: Thirty-one articles were included for final review including qualitative and quantitative studies, literature reviews and audits. This concept analysis guided the development of an concept definition of person-centred handover practices between emergency care practitioners and healthcare professionals in the emergency department as person- centred handover practices are those handovers being performed while including all identified defining attributes such as structure, verbal, and written information transfer, interprofessional process, inclusion of the patient and/ or family, occurs at the bedside, without interruption.

Conclusions: Results suggested that person-centred handover practices involve verbal and non- verbal interprofessional communication within a specific location in the emergency department. It requires mutual respect from all professionals involved, experience and training, and the participation of the patient and / or family to improve patient outcomes and quality patient care. A definition for the concept may encourage the implementation of person-centred handover practices in emergency departments.

Keywords: Emergency Medical Services; Emergency department; Handover; Healthcare professionals; Person-centred.