Week 10: Clinical handover (ISBAR, GP, dietitian & other allied health)

Question 1

What is Clinical Handover?

Answer 1

Effective handover is crucial to assist in positive patient outcomes. Without clear communication between Dietetic team colleagues and other disciplines in a patient’s care team, important information can be missed or misunderstood.

Question 2

When completing a handover, what needs to be considered?

Answer 2

It is important to consider HOW the handover will be delivered, and WHO the handover is for.

The HOW
Will the handover be:
Verbal (i.e.in person/video or by phone)
Written (e.g. handwritten or typed letter or note)

The WHO
Consider who is receiving the handover, and therefore what information will be relevant to that person/s.
You may be giving a handover to another Dietitian, a GP, specialist doctor, nurse or other allied health professional. For each professional, the information provided should be targeted as required.
It is important that we consider WHO we are speaking to because each profession would be most interested in the information relevant to their role.

Question 3

What does ISBAR stand for?

Answer 3

I: Introduced yourself

• who are you
• where are you
• Which patient

S: Situation
-short description of the situation

B: Background
-Short and simple

A: Assessment

• What I think
• What I have done

R: Recommendation
-seek further assistance if not satisfied.