All Content

Little empirical evidence exists assessing the association of different nursing handoff styles with patient outcomes. This retrospective study examined the incidence of falls during nursing handovers performed in designated rooms away from patients (to ensure confidentiality and prevent interruptions and distractions). No differences in the incidence of falls or fall severity during handovers performed away from patients versus non-handover times were identified.

Interruptions and other work system failures often prevent nurses from completing essential patient care tasks. This study, a secondary analysis of data from a seminal article, found that failure to complete nursing care was linked to an increased risk of a broad range of adverse events. This finding is corroborated by another recent study that tied interruptions during medication administration to an increased risk of medication errors. While inadequate nurse staffing ratios increase safety risks, this study reinforces the necessity of also transforming nurses' work environment in order to reduce preventable adverse events.