Date of Award
Summer 2025
Project Type
Thesis
College or School
CHHS
Department
Nursing
Program or Major
Direct Entry Masters of Nursing
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Deborah Simonton
Second Advisor
Pamela Kallmerten
Abstract
Background: Communication is essential to workflow in the operating room. In this microsystem, circulating nurses required relief nurses when necessary breaks were needed. Written communication allows for nurses to quickly access information when they are giving handoff reports.
Local Problem: An operating room in a trauma level two hospital in New England had a verbal handoff that was inconsistent and left relief nurses with incomplete reports. This issue caused a decrease in nursing satisfaction with a potential decrease in patient safety.
Methods: Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act model, a written standardized communication sheet was created and implemented. Data was collected using Likert scale values from pre- and post-intervention surveys that were completed by the nursing in the microsystem.
Interventions: A standardized written communication sheet to be used during intraoperative handoff reports. The intervention aimed to increase patient safety and nursing satisfaction with an increase of one point from mean Likert scales from the pre-intervention survey to the post-intervention survey.
Results: The intervention led to an increase of over a one point average in mean Likert scale values, in three survey categories. The results supported that the communication tool increased patient safety and nursing satisfaction.
Conclusion: The implementation of the standardized communication sheet in the operating room improved nursing satisfaction and patient safety in the microsystem. This QI intervention highlights the importance of efficient and accurate communication in a high-stake nursing unit.
Keywords: Communication, Operating Room (OR), Standardized Communication, Communication Tool, Intraoperative Communication, Patient Safety, Nursing Satisfaction, Likert scale, Operating room communication
Recommended Citation
McNeil, Hayleigh, "Enhancing Patient Safety and Nursing Satisfaction in the Operating Room by Implementing Standardized Handoff Communication Sheets: A Quality Improvement Project" (2025). Master's Theses and Capstones. 1949.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/1949