Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Amelia A. Nichols

Abstract

Despite some improvement, no consensus exists to perfect quality in anesthesia handoff practice and policy. This quality improvement project was designed to assist a local anesthesia and perioperative workforce questioning the quality of its current handoff. Theories and models used to inform the project included the Inter-Professional Team Collaborative, Lewin's change theory, the continuous quality improvement theory, and the knowledge to action model. The communication assessment tool (CAT) functioned as a needs assessment yielding a gap in handoff practice of 25 participants. The CAT also served as the post project evaluation survey. The situation, background, assessment, and recommendation (SBAR) tool was preferred. Participants received SBAR education, and clinical evaluation experience (CEX) survey training. The CEX described the quality indicators of participant handovers during four consecutive weeks. Descriptive and inferential statistics used to analyze data collections included means and standard deviations, examining trends in the continuous level variables. Reliability of the CAT variables was evaluated through Cronbach's alpha test of internal consistency. Inferential analyses included independent sample t tests, Pearson correlations, and analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Statistical significance was evaluated at the conventional level, α = .05. The use of the SBAR handoff tool showed parity in communication competency. Quality indicators of overall handoff remained highly satisfactory. Recommendations include the consensual use of SBAR handoff and competency evaluation across the anesthesia community. Modification of handoff practices and policies will enable social change by promoting quality indicators in anesthesia collaborative communication.

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