Date of Award
Summer 2025
Project Type
Thesis
College or School
CHHS
Department
Nursing
Departments (Collect)
Nursing
Program or Major
Direct Entry Masters of Nursing
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Deborah Simonton
Second Advisor
Pamela Kallmerten
Abstract
Background: Effective communication during patient handoff in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is essential to ensuring patient safety and continuity of care. Unstructured or inconsistent handoff processes can lead to information omissions and care delays.
Methods: This quality improvement project implemented a structured nurse-to-nurse handoff report tool in the PACU. A pre- and post-intervention survey design was used to assess nurses’ perceptions of handoff clarity, completeness, and satisfaction. Educational sessions supported implementation.
Results: Pre-intervention survey data revealed dissatisfaction with the current handoff process, citing frequent information gaps. Following implementation of the structured tool, post-survey results showed improved communication clarity, increased nurse confidence, and reduced omissions of critical patient information. Although some staff expressed a preference for informal handoffs, the tool was generally well-received and easy to use.
Conclusion: A standardized report sheet is a low-cost, effective intervention for improving handoff communication in the PACU. Findings suggest the tool is adaptable to other high-acuity clinical settings where communication is critical to patient safety.
Recommended Citation
McAuley, Myra, "Improving the Effectiveness of Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Transitions: A Quality Improvement Initiative Using a Standardized Nurse Handoff Report Sheet" (2025). Master's Theses and Capstones. 1948.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/1948