510 Improving Trauma & Orthopaedic Handover During a Pandemic: Keeping Patients Safe - A Closed Loop QIP

Abstract Aim Lack of communication and incomplete handover leads to errors and patient harm. Staffing challenges caused by Covid-19 highlights the necessity for high-quality handover. Our aim was to assess the quality of T&O weekend ward handover and evaluate the implementation of a formal handover document to improve the process. Method Junior doctors completed a survey to measure the efficacy and safety of current handover. A formalised written handover document in line with RCS Safe Handover recommendations was created and included in the doctors’ inductions. Evaluation was after 5 weeks with post-intervention questionnaires and new doctor rotation feedback. Results Prior to introduction of the handover document, 78% stated they were unable to formally handover. 77% experienced incomplete or unclear handover when working on the weekend. Lack of a standard handover process was deemed ineffective and unsafe. All respondents reported more efficient working with the new process. The perceived safety rating significantly increased from 2.33 out of 5 to 4.23 (p<0.0001). The new cohort of junior doctors rated the safety of handover to be 3.54, showing there is still scope for improvement in patient safety. Conclusions The use of standardized handover tools had a positive impact, improving the safety and quality of weekend handover. Workload was prioritized appropriately with improved transfer of information between teams. Covid-19 creates numerous challenges for safe clinical care. Working in unfamiliar environments and last-minute rota changes need to be mitigated by robust handover processes.