Clinical Handover - Standard Key Principles

Summary
This policy mandates the implementation of a standard set of key principles for all types of clinical handover.

Clinical handover is the transfer of information, accountability and responsibility for a patient or group of patients.

Standardisation of key principles for clinical handover will aid effective, concise and complete communication in all clinical situations and facilitate care delivery. Standardising the key principles of clinical handover will contribute to improved safety of patient care.

This policy has been developed utilising evidence and is consistent with approaches endorsed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Australian Medical Association.

Date of Publication: 28 September 2009

Replaces: N/A
Author Branch: Health Services Improvement Branch

This document applies to: Area Health Services/Chief Executive Governed Statutory Health Corporation, Board Governed Statutory Health Corporations, Affiliated Health Organisations - Non Declared, Affiliated Health Organisations - Declared, Public Health System Support Division, Community Health Centres, Dental Schools and Clinics, NSW Ambulance Service, Public Health Units, Public Hospitals

Audience: All clinical staff and administrative staff impacted by or with authority over policy implementation

Distributed to: Public Health System, Divisions of General Practice, Government Medical Officers, Health Associations Unions, NSW Ambulance Service , NSW Department of Health, Private Hospitals and Day Procedure Centres , Tertiary Education Institutes

Review Date: 28 September 2014

Policy Manual: Patient Matters

File No: H09/48070

Status: Active

File link: Clinical Handover - Standard Key Principles
File size: 137Kb