Publication
Facilitating strategies for handover of care responsibility in the perioperative period: scoping review
| Summary: | Introduction: The risk of safety incidents is present at every stage of healthcare delivery. In recent years, there has been a growing global concern regarding patient safety. In the national context, the National Plan for Patient Safety 2021–2026 establishes safety as a priority, based on five pillars, among which communication is highlighted. Communication failures during the handover of care responsibility are considered one of the main causes of safety incidents and, consequently, adverse events in healthcare. During the perioperative period, characterised by multiple handovers in a short timeframe, the risk of failures and omissions in the transfer of care responsibility is heightened, which in turn increases the likelihood of safety incidents and adverse events. Objective: To map the strategies that facilitate the handover of care responsibility during the perioperative period. Materials and Methods: A Scoping Review was conducted in accordance with the methodology proposed by the JBI. Only original studies in Portuguese and English were included, with no time restrictions, involving nurses and physicians (Population)—and addressing strategies that facilitate the handover of care responsibility (Concept) in the perioperative period (Context). Results: From the full analysis of the 56 articles comprising the total sample, various strategies facilitating the handover of care responsibility during the perioperative period were identified and grouped into four thematic axes: standardisation of communication; technology and digital tools; education and training; leadership and positive organisational culture. Conclusions: The analysis of the studies concludes that there is no single approach to optimising the handover of care responsibility. It is essential to implement combined procedures that include structured protocols, technological support, and continuous training, associated with a positive organisational culture. |
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| Main Authors: | Tavares, Ângela |
| Other Authors: | Melo, Helena; Lourenço, Ana Vanessa; Miguel, Susana |
| Subject: | Equipa de cuidados ao paciente Período perioperatório Scoping review Transferência do paciente Transferência da responsabilidade pelo paciente Patient handoff Perioperative period Scoping review Patient transfer Patient care team |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Country: | Portugal |
| Document type: | article |
| Access type: | unknown |
| Associated institution: | Universidade Católica Portuguesa |
| Language: | Portuguese |
| Origin: | Cadernos de Saúde |
| Summary: | Introduction: The risk of safety incidents is present at every stage of healthcare delivery. In recent years, there has been a growing global concern regarding patient safety. In the national context, the National Plan for Patient Safety 2021–2026 establishes safety as a priority, based on five pillars, among which communication is highlighted. Communication failures during the handover of care responsibility are considered one of the main causes of safety incidents and, consequently, adverse events in healthcare. During the perioperative period, characterised by multiple handovers in a short timeframe, the risk of failures and omissions in the transfer of care responsibility is heightened, which in turn increases the likelihood of safety incidents and adverse events. Objective: To map the strategies that facilitate the handover of care responsibility during the perioperative period. Materials and Methods: A Scoping Review was conducted in accordance with the methodology proposed by the JBI. Only original studies in Portuguese and English were included, with no time restrictions, involving nurses and physicians (Population)—and addressing strategies that facilitate the handover of care responsibility (Concept) in the perioperative period (Context). Results: From the full analysis of the 56 articles comprising the total sample, various strategies facilitating the handover of care responsibility during the perioperative period were identified and grouped into four thematic axes: standardisation of communication; technology and digital tools; education and training; leadership and positive organisational culture. Conclusions: The analysis of the studies concludes that there is no single approach to optimising the handover of care responsibility. It is essential to implement combined procedures that include structured protocols, technological support, and continuous training, associated with a positive organisational culture. |
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