Date of Conferral
4-15-2025
Date of Award
April 2025
Degree
Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)
School
Health Services
Advisor
Matt Frederiksen-England
Abstract
Effective communication during patient handovers is crucial for ensuring safe, quality care in the emergency departments (EDs) of small to medium-sized hospitals. The absence of standardized communication tools presents significant challenges, potentially leading to errors and hindering care coordination. This integrative review evaluates strategies for implementing standardized handover processes while examining their outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced communication practices. Grounded in the Donabedian quality conceptual framework, which encompasses structure, process, and outcomes as interconnected components of healthcare quality, the review identifies five key themes: (a) standardized communication protocols, advocating for the adoption of structured tools like SBAR and ISBAR to enhance clarity and effectiveness; (b) interprofessional collaboration, promoting team-based approaches to ensure seamless information flow; (c) organizational support and leadership, emphasizing the role of leadership commitment in fostering a culture centered around patient safety; (d) patient-centered care, advocating for patient involvement in the handover process to improve understanding and satisfaction; and (e) quality improvement initiatives, focusing on continuous education and evaluation to uphold high standards of care. Implementing these strategies is essential for optimizing care transitions in EDs, contributing to operational efficiency and promoting equitable access to quality healthcare. Enhancing standardized handover processes contributes to operational efficiency and positive social change by reducing health disparities and promoting equitable access to quality care. Implementing these strategies is essential for optimizing care transitions in EDs, contributing to equitable access to quality healthcare.
Recommended Citation
Moss-Sherman, Bridgette A., "Enhancing Emergency Department Communication: Structural Requirements and Outcomes of Standardized Handover Processes" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17487.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17487
