A strategic solution to preventing the harm associated with ambulance handover delays. May 29, 2024

https://psnet.ahrq.gov/issue/strategic-solution-preventing-harm-associated-ambulance-handover-delays A strategic solution to preventing the harm associated with ambulance handover delays. Evans C, Da’Costa A. Emerg Nurse. 2024;Epub Apr 30. Delayed handovers from emergency medical services (EMS) to the emergency department (ED) can significantly increase the risk of medical complications. This article describes a two-phase quality improvement project to decrease overall handover times as well the percentage of handovers occurring more than 60 minutes after arrival. Strategies included creation of a designated area for patients awaiting hospital admission, detailed written policies, and regular meetings between ED staff and ambulance services to improve working relationships and communication. This resulted in a decrease in the percentage of handovers more than 60 minutes after arrival from 9% to 0.2%, and an increase from 52% to 69% of handovers completed in 15 minutes or less.