Effective:

Effective: 13/01/2020

Nursing/Midwifery Shift to Shift Bedside Handover – Process Flowchart

The patient as an
active participant
All patients are asked
if they wish to
participate in Bedside
Handover. Some
I  Discuss with patient if/and whom they
patients may not be
able to participate,
such as those that are
experiencing
confusion, decreased
level of consciousness
or who have expressed
a wish not to
participate.
It is recommended
that patients be
advised on admission
that they will be invited
to participate at the
bedside handover if
awake. Patients not
wishing to participate
should have
S
supporting
documented evidence.
o 
Preceding Staff
 Update Journey Boards – Key information
 Update handover sheet Exchange
 Inform patient of pending handover sensitive
would like to be present at handover,
information
during huddle
to avoid
including family/carers
confidentiality
 Ensure patient is comfortable e.g. pain free issues
Outgoing Team Leader
 Organises HUDDLE to exchange
confidential / clinical information
 Huddle led by previous shift coordinator
 To include all oncoming staff if possible
99% retention
rate is achieved
using verbal
Exchange Clinical Information
 Use ISoBAR to guide handover, handover
combined with
 Identify patients requiring clinical
accompanying
escalation, new admissions & pending
pre-printed
discharges, at risk patients
handout
 Clarify any clinical requirements
containing all
 Proceed to bedside patient/carer handover relevant patient
information
Safety Scan – Bed Area
 Introduce staff to patient/carer

Avoid medical jargon
Check patient ID band/risk alerts

B  Check ORC & escalation requirements Assess your

Shift Coordinator own patient
 Check medications given and signed and check
 Attend bedside  Check infusion orders to attached bags care has been
handover for own
patients if relevant. A 

Check PIVAS
Check outputs and other documents
implemented

 Receive an update  Safety Checks as per ward protocol

from oncoming staff in  Check call bell is within reach
each team/ partnership Communicate
after bedside handover to the patient
has been completed. Background and Agree to Plan /carer when
 Invite patient/carer to confirm / clarify with you plan to
any identified RISKS - ADL, Falls, review them
this shift
Cognition, Concerns, Pathways in use
 Staff to discuss (with patients/carer) care
Identify requirement of previous and next shift
 Review Nursing Careplan
Situation
Final
observations Readback – Confirm Priorities confirmation
Background  Ask patient if they have any final
for next shift’s

Agree to plan R questions.

 Ask oncoming staff if they have any
activities

questions
Readback
Adapted from: QLD Health “Clinical
Handover at the Bedside Checklist” 2010

Date of Last Review: December 2019 Page 1 of 1 Date Next Review: December 2022
Contact: Nurse Educator WACHS-SW (G. Cutler) TRIM Record No: ED-CO-16-72439
Version: 2.00