Abstract:
AIM : To reach consensus on the definition and attributes of ‘person-centred handover practices’ in emergency departments.
BACKGROUND : Handover practices between emergency care practitioners and healthcare professionals in emergency departments are important and should be conducted meticulously. Person-centred handover practices may enhance the delivery of person-centred care in emergency departments.
DESIGN : A three-round online Delphi survey.
METHODS : Nine experts participated in a three round Delphi survey. The expert panel comprised experts from nine countries. Quantitative data were descriptively analysed, and qualitative data were thematically analysed. A consensus of 80% had to be reached before an attribute and definition could be accepted.
RESULTS : Experts reached a consensus of 79% in round one, 95% in round two and 95% in round three. A final set of six attributes were agreed upon and the final concept definition was formulated.
CONCLUSION : Person-centred handover practices have not been implemented in emergency departments. Yet, person-centred handover practices may enhance the delivery of person-centred care, which has multiple benefits for patients and healthcare practitioners.
IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE : Person-centred care is not generally implemented in emergency departments. Person-centred handover practices can lead to person-centred care. Handover practices in emergency departments are a high-risk activity. Despite numerous calls to standardise and improve handover practices, they remain a problem. Developing a standardised definition could be a first step towards implementing person-centred handover practices in emergency departments.
REPORTING METHOD : The study adhered to the relevant EQUATOR reporting guidelines: Guidance on Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies (CREDES) checklist.
IMPACT (ADDRESSING) : Improve handover practices and patient care.
Improve person-centred care in emergency departments.
PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION : Emergency care practitioners and nurses experienced in handover practices and/or person-centred care, working in clinical and academic fields, participated in the study by sharing their expert knowledge during each of the Delphi rounds.
Description:
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in University of Pretoria Research data at https://figshare.com/s/0923702aa9b0aa7fd1d5, reference number 10.25403/UPresearchdata.24310696.
