Shift change handovers and subsequent interruptions: potential impacts on quality of care.
Estryn-Behar MR, Milanini-Magny G, Chaumon E, et al. Shift change handovers and subsequent interruptions: potential impacts on quality of care. J Patient Saf. 2014;10(1):29-44. doi:10.1097/PTS.0000000000000066.
This direct observation study found that registered nurses, physicians, and nursing aides have frequent interruptions and limited time for shift-change handoffs. This finding suggests that widespread efforts to ensure adequate handoff time and minimize interruptions have not mitigated these problems in hospital settings.