Status of Handover Practice of Postoperative Patient from Operating Room to Postanaesthesia Care Unit in Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute Operating Theatre Recovery Room

Abstract

Background: Postoperative period is a time of significant physiological flux, patient recover from the acute derangements resulting from anaesthesia and surgery. On arrival at PACU, the patient is re-evaluated by the anaesthesia provider gives a handover to the responsible PAC provider. Incomplete handover increase risk of morbidity and mortality to patients. Objective: Study assessed the handover practice of postoperative patient from operating room to post-anaesthesia care unit in Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute operating theatre recovery room. Methodology: This was a hospital based cross-sectional observational study which was conducted at Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute Hospital located at Upanga. Handover conducted by Anaesthetic Provider to PACU nurse in the Recovery rooms were Observed and information communicated were marked using SBAR handover checklist. Then anaesthetic providers and PACU nurse were surveyed to know which item in the checklist was relevant to be communicated during handover. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS version 23). Results: 319 PACU handover were observed. 17.5% of the handover were completed and rated as Good, 50.8% were satisfactory and 31.7% poorly completed. Most communicated items were Vital Sign 90.6%, Operation Underwent 86.8% and Type of anaesthesia 85.9% and the least was ASA 24.5%. Items providers thought should be communicated were Name of the patient (0.954), Age and Gender (0.938), Type of Anaesthesia (0.925). Among the Anaesthetic Provider Cadre Physician Providers provided Good and Satisfactory handover compared to Nurse Provider. Conclusion: Majority of the handover were satisfactorily completed, with Vital Sign, type of anaesthesia and Operation underwent being the most communicated items in checklist.