NUR4103

Communication
Skills for Nurses
Lecturer: Miss Lois Stephanas
Presenters: Debbie Kissoon
Kelly Sonalall
Communicating to
Advance Continuity
of Care
Objectives
⮚ Introduction
⮚ Definition of key terms
⮚ Importance of communication in
continuity of care
⮚ Procedure/Guidelines for shift
change
⮚ Procedure/Guidelines for
Transfer/Referral of patient
⮚ Effects of lack of Communication
⮚ Conclusion
 Introduction
Continuity of Care is an essential component of healthcare
provision, guaranteeing that services are provided in a consistent,
rational, and prompt manner. This concept is multifaceted, involving
three distinct areas: relational, management, and informational
continuity, with each domain influencing and being influenced by the
others. Attaining Continuity of Care, especially for individuals with
intricate healthcare requirements, necessitates a thorough strategy
that encompasses multiple tiers of the healthcare system.
 Definition of key terms
 Communication
According to Webster’s Dictionary, communication is “the imparting or interchange of
thoughts, opinions or information by speech, writing or signs.”

 Communication in Healthcare
Health Communication is a multidisciplinary field of study and practice that applies
communication evidence, strategy, theory and creativity to promote behaviors, policies and
practices that advance the health and well-being of people and population. (SHC, 2017)

 Continuity of care
The extensiveness of an ongoing experience where person/s encounters a clinical team or
member of the clinical team. It focuses on the care and health services provided by the
various healthcare personnel throughout the entire hospitalization of the patient.
 Importance of communication in continuity of
care
For effective clinical practices and care to be carried out where critical information is involved
(patient's allergies to medication/s) it must be communicated clearly and effectively.
Documentation also plays a major role in communication so when the patient is handed over
from one shift to the next, continuity of care is being done. If communication is broken, patient
safety is at risk.

Effective Communication has a great deal with the advance for the continuity of care where it
creates a collaboration of healthcare personnel's that works cooperatively together in sharing
various responsibilities for problem-solving, decision making, plan of care and care of plan all
for the common goal of quality and effective patient care outcome.
 Procedure and Guideline for Shift Handing
Over & Taking Over
When planning for shift handovers and takeovers, it is important to take into account certain
essential measures.
Step 1: Preparation
Verify that all essential documentation and information is current and easily obtainable. Assess
outstanding assignments, ongoing problems, and essential updates that need to be shared.
Step 2: Introduction
During this step, the handing over teams acquaint the patient with the handing over process. They
also introduce the patient to the taking over team, and vice versa. The teams inform the patient
that they will be assuming responsibility for providing uninterrupted care.
Step 3. Commencing the process.
The departing team schedules a designated period of time to meet with the new team.
Crucial information, such as unfinished duties, important updates, and ongoing problems, is
conveyed in person directly at the patient's bedside.
 Procedure and Guideline for Shift Handing Over
& Taking Over
Step 4. Data Transmission
Thorough, concise, and thorough information is transferred to ensure that the incoming team is fully
aware.
The utilization of a report Book or SBAR tool guarantees the methodical and comprehensive transfer of
information, hence preventing the omission of any crucial details.
Step 5: Patient Engagement
The patient is engaged in expressing concerns or posing inquiries.
Step 6. Verification and Receipt
The receiving team acknowledges the supplied information and requests clarification on any
ambiguities.
Both teams establish a shared comprehension of the handover specifics. Review medication and
bedside charts, check tubes and lines before proceeding to the other patient.
 Procedure and Guideline for Transfers/
Referrals
Transfer/referral involves the necessary arrangements and documentation to move a patient
from one department within the hospital to another department or to a different hospital.
Categories of Patient Transfer
Internal transfer refers to the process of moving a patient from one unit to another within a
healthcare facility in order to receive specialized care or care that is specifically tailored to their
needs. This could involve transferring a patient from a general ward to the Intensive Care Unit
(ICU), for example.
An external transfer refers to the process of moving a patient from one hospital to another
hospital in order to provide specialized care, such as transferring a patient from a general
hospital to a cancer center.
Procedure and Guideline for Transfer/ Referrals
Procedure for transferring or referring a patient:
First, begin with the initial stage of preparation.
Provide the patient and his or her family with an explanation of the transfer.
Discuss with the professionals at the receiving unit or institution regarding the patient's condition
care plan and drug regime for the patient
Evaluate the mode of transport and provide necessary transportation, if required (e.g.
wheelchairs, ambulance, stretcher or bed)
Assemble the patient's personal belongings. Be sure to inspect the entire room, including the
bathroom, the bathroom cabinet, the bedside stand, and the overbed table.Collect all of the
patient's medications from the cart as well as the refrigerator. If the patient is going to be
transferred to a different unit, the medications should be sent to the receiving unit; if he/she is
going to be transferred to a different facility, however, they should be returned to the pharmacy.
The receiving unit should be provided with the patient's chart, laboratory request slips, X-rays,
relevant results and complete recording of vital signs
 Procedure and Guideline for Transfers/
Referrals
Initiate the transfer
Document the time, method of transportation, and overall state of the patient.
Provide support in relocating high-risk patients to a wheelchair or stretcher and accompany
them to their designated area and ensure the preservation of the patient's physical health when
transferring them to a different nursing unit.
Familiarize the patient with the nursing personnel in the reception unit. Subsequently, escort
the patient to his designated room and, contingent upon his medical state, either position him
on the bed or seat him in a chair. Facilitate the acquaintance between him and his new
roommate, if deemed suitable, and provide him with information regarding any unfamiliar
equipment.
Handover patient records, personal items, and report verbally to the supervising nurse or sister.
 Effects of lack of communication
The lack of communication in healthcare can lead to significant adverse effects on patient
safety and outcomes. Communication errors are among the most common causes of sentinel
events, which are unexpected occurrences involving death or serious physical or psychological
injury. These errors are implicated in a large proportion of adverse events in healthcare. To
improve patient safety, it is essential to move beyond labeling all issues as "communication
errors" and instead analyze communication breakdowns more precisely, using tools like root
cause analysis and failure modes and effects analysis. This precise approach allows for the
identification of specific barriers and the development of targeted strategies to enhance the
reliability and validity of information exchange within healthcare
 Conclusion
Communication and continuity in the health care system is a factor that plays a
major role in the outcome and quality of care being delivered. When patients
obtain an optimal level of care, it leads to better health outcomes, high level of
patient satisfaction, increased adherence treatment and recognition of
institution.
THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING
 References
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