Improving actual handover behavior with a simulation-based training intervention

A simulation-based training intervention to improve patient handovers between anesthesia providers (APs) and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nurses (RNs) in adult (VUH) and pediatric (VCH) PACUs, was developed, implemented, and evaluated. The intervention included didactic webinars, an electronic handover report tool, a 2-hour simulation-based training session and a 1-hr “refresher” course several months later. Training focused on interpersonal skills and overcoming obstacles to effective handovers. Trained nurses observed and evaluated 981 actual PACU handovers over 12 months using a standardized rating tool. A different blinded observer scored pre- and post-training simulated handovers. A culture survey was administered before and after the intervention. After training, handover quality improved significantly with more than 70% of handovers rated as “effective” in both PACUs (P<0.001). The training status of the handover giver (AP) was the critical determinant of handover effectiveness. Following full implementation, new (untrained) clinicians performed effective handovers suggesting culture change and/or implicit training.