56 A Quality Improvement Project to Assess and Refine the Handover Process at Morning Trauma Meetings

Abstract Aim Poor handover and inadequate transmission of clinical information between shifts can result in patient harm. This study was designed to evaluate the impact implementing a protocol on quality exchanged trauma meetings UK district general hospital. Method A prospective single centre observational performed at an acute NHS trust, using define, measure, analyse, improve control (DMAIC) methodology. Ten consecutive weekday meetings, involving 43 patients, were observed identify poor practices handover. data used conjunction with Royal College Surgeon’s recommendations for effective (2007) create standard operating (SOP). Following implementation SOP, further eight 47 observed. The collection by five trained independent observers. analysed t-test quantitative variables chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests categorical variables. Results An improvement demonstrated multiple aspects including patient’s past medical history, injury date, results, diagnosis, consent, mark starvation status (all p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that neck femur patients mobility (p = 0.04), Nottingham Hip Fracture Score 0.01), next kin discussion 0.075) resuscitation 0.001) all improved following our interventions. Conclusions These results demonstrate well-structured critical meetings.