Nursing shift handover and the handover invite
Nursing shift handover meetings happen at the bedside twice each day. Before the end of each nursing shift, the incoming and outgoing nurses meet at the bedside of each patient. During this meeting, the nurses transfer the responsibility and accountability of your child’s care. They do this by sharing the most up-to-date health-related information about your child and their care.
As part of a child and family-centered care approach, parents, caregivers and patients are invited and encouraged to participate as partners in the nursing shift handover meetings.
Completing this exchange of information at the bedside with the child and family involved helps to make sure important information is not missed.
Why should you attend nursing shift handover meetings?
Nursing shift handover meetings provide parents and caregivers the opportunity to be involved and engaged in their child’s care. They:
- are a great time to be introduced to the incoming nurse.
- provide you with opportunities to understand the plan of care for your child.
- allow you to share your questions or concerns. You know your child best and your goals and priorities are important.
What you can expect at nursing shift handover
- Parent, caregivers and patients are always welcome and invited to attend nursing shift handover.
- Two nurses, the incoming and outgoing nurses, will check your child’s patient identification band, review allergies and any IV (intravenous) infusions during the nursing shift handover. It is a part of the routine checks.
- Nursing shift handover takes place twice each day and takes about five minutes.
- Save any questions or concerns you have until the end of the nursing shift handover. This helps to minimize interruptions or distractions that could lead to important information being missed.