scholarly journals 1231 A Full-Cycle Audit Of ‘Safe’ Surgical Handovers in A Tertiary Centre

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Z Shakoor ◽  
C West

Abstract Aim 1. Assess performance in surgical handovers at Southampton General Hospital (SGH) against RCS ‘Safe Handover’ guidelines Identify any areas for improvement to ensure safe and effective handover of surgical patients Method 10 evening surgical handovers were anonymously audited In October 2019 against RCS ‘safe handover’ guidelines. The results were subsequently analysed and circulated amongst the surgical department. Handovers were then led consistently by surgical registrars and advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs). A prompt including the RCS handover guidelines was made and distributed to all members of the surgical team and included in departmental inductions. Following this, a further 10 evening handovers were anonymously audited between July and August 2020. Results Many aspects of handover performance descriptors described by the RCS in the re-audit improved following the circulation of our prompt including RCS handover guidelines and examples of minimum or good standards of practice for handover. Specifically, handover timeliness, the briefings provided (100% from 70%), the audibility of a single speaker (70% from 30%), the number of educational discussions held during handovers (100% from 50%) and awareness of the on-call overnight consultant (100% from 80%) all vastly improved. Conclusions Emphasis on undertaking effective handovers needs to continue as ‘safe' handovers between shifts can protect both patient and doctor safety. This is especially true following the implementation of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) and a move to full shift working. Handovers are also proposed as opportunities for training which may be helpful especially in an era of reduced hours of surgical training.

2006 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Moorthy ◽  
J Grainger ◽  
A Scott ◽  
JW Powles ◽  
SG Lattis

The traditional model of surgical service is in the process of change. Classically, a consultant surgeon would have the services of an SpR, staff and associate specialist (SAS) and SHO in clinic and theatre. The implementation of the New Deal and the European Working Time Directive has led to a significant reduction in the number of hours worked by junior doctors. Consequently, nearly all SHOs are working a full-shift pattern and most SpRs are moving onto full-shift rotas to ensure out-of-hours service is maintained. This reduction in the number of junior doctors available during the normal working day has increased the development of extended roles for non-medical professionals.


2006 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 90-92
Author(s):  
MC Oliver ◽  
MR Edwards ◽  
IC Kurta ◽  
M Hearth

This month we publish a single article by Oliver et al on the effect of differing working patterns on training opportunity. The European Working Time Directive changes have been in place long enough for effects to start being measured. Concerns that reduction in junior doctors' hours and thoughtless implementation of full-shift rotas are detrimental do not seem to be diminishing.


2011 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 202-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Marriott ◽  
H Purdie ◽  
A Millen ◽  
JD Beard

Surgery is a craft specialty based on gaining sufficient operating theatre experience. The European Working Time Directive was introduced in 1998 to protect the health and safety of employees. However, the progressive reduction in the hours available for surgical training combined with full-shift working patterns have raised fears that we will produce less experienced surgeons in the future.


2009 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 258-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Black

The ill-judged introduction of the 48-hour week demanded by the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) was the first news item on every television and radio programme on Saturday 1 August, indicating just how successful the College has been in raising public concern. It was encouraging that the British Medical Association (BMA) speakers were for the first time expressing serious anxiety, largely about the effects on training and about pressure being put on junior doctors to falsify their hours returns. All conversions to the cause are welcome, however late in the day. It is disappointing that the BMA is not yet stressing the dangers to patients, which they are surely hearing about from their members working in the acute specialties.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Schimmack ◽  
Ulf Hinz ◽  
Andreas Wagner ◽  
Thomas Schmidt ◽  
Hendrik Strothmann ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (7) ◽  
pp. 583-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Wasson ◽  
N Jacobsen ◽  
D Bowdler ◽  
C Hopkins

Implementation of the European Working Time Directive and the Modernising Medical Careers initiative will mean junior surgeons must be trained in fewer hours over a shorter period. For this reason, junior surgeon training opportunities must be optimized. We undertook a departmental audit to identify where opportunities to train senior house officers (SHOs) in theatre were being lost, so that appropriate timetable changes could be made in order to optimize exposure to suitable surgical cases. During the first audit cycle, the SHOs followed their existing timetable and theatre attendance was monitored prospectively over a two-week period. Only 30 per cent of theatre sessions were attended and case participation was only 27 per cent. Simple timetable changes were made to maximize SHO theatre attendance, and a second prospective two-week audit was undertaken. The new rota yielded 46 per cent theatre attendance and 48 per cent case participation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Soumya Mukherjee ◽  
James Meacock ◽  
Eleanor Kissane ◽  
Debasish Pal

Ever-developing changes to the working hours of junior doctors by the European Working Time Directive, the junior doctor contract of 2019 and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the professional identity of doctors. There has been little investigation into its influence on the multifaceted aspects of postgraduate medical training, which feeds into how trainees consider themselves professionally and the concept of professional identity or ‘being a doctor’. A review of the medical, socio-political and educational literature reveals that the impact on the professional identity development of trainees is influenced by several perspectives from the trainee, trainer and the public. Gross reduction in working hours has no doubt decreased the raw volume of clinical experiences. However, to counteract this, smarter learning processes have evolved, including narrative reflection, supervised learning events, and a greater awareness of coaching and training among trainers.


2008 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 96-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Tokode ◽  
L Barthelmes ◽  
B O'Riordan

Since the introduction of shift systems for junior doctors as part of the European Working Time Directive, different teams of doctors look after patients over the course of a day. This requires ro bust handover mechanisms to pass on inf ormation between differ ent teams of doctors to avoid misses and near-misses in patients' care. Modernising Medical Careers shortens the placements of doctors in foundation programmes in general surgery to four months compared with six-month placements as pre-registration house officers in the past. The reduction in working hours will therefore adv ersely aff ect exposur e and experience of junior doctors in general surg ery unless the learning potential of time spent at work is maximised.


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