The clinical handover process from one unit to another is one of the most important processes in the health care setting. During the handover process, care providers do not only transfer patients but also have the responsibility of ensuring that patient needs are comprehensively addressed by the oncoming care providers (Chien et al., 2022). Effective communication is, therefore, an integral part of patient safety, especially during critical transitions from one area to another or when transitioning from one healthcare provider to another (Cox et al., 2020). The joint commission reported that one of the major causes of severe medical events that occur during patient transfers are due to communication breakdown. There are different methods that are utilized in the handover process, including person-to-person handovers and phone-to-phone handover models. These models have different impacts on the effectiveness of communication during the handover process and can negatively impact the safety of patients and the implementation of postoperative interventions (Pun, 2021). This literature review will evaluate the existing research evidence to determine if the implementation of person-to-person handover reduces communication gaps that contribute to delayed implementation of postoperative care.
Person-to-person handover is a model where the healthcare providers, including the outgoing and incoming nurses/care providers, are present during the handover process. This handover model is often recommended due to the several benefits associated with the practice (Pun, 2021). Person-to-person handover facilitates better information sharing. The incoming care provider has the opportunity to verify the information included in the transfer documents to avoid errors that might result from ambiguity and errors in the transfer documents (Cox et al., 2020). The model is also important since the outgoing care provider can share more information about the patient, including details that are not included in the handover document but are necessary for improved care of the patient. For example, during person-to-person handover, the care provider can highlight the personality of the patient and how they are likely to react to interventions, hence facilitating good relationships between the care providers and the patients (Chien et al., 2022).
Conceptual theory and Framework.
Goal attainment theory can be used to guide this study. The theory was developed by Imogene King in the 1960s, and it seeks to assist nurses in delivering quality healthcare services. According to this theory, the nursing process involves a series of actions, reactions, and interactions where nurses and patients share information concerning their perception of the nursing situation (Fronczek & Messmer, 2021). King identifies three systems that interact during care delivery, including the personal, interpersonal, and social systems. The personal system involves how the nurse perceives themselves, even in the care delivery process. This includes their role in ensuring that they restore the patient’s health. In this case, the personal system applies to how the nurse views their role in the handover process. During the process, the outgoing nurses are responsible for sharing all the relevant information that will affect the implementation of postoperative interventions and the patient’s well-being. The incoming nurse is also responsible for gathering all the information they believe to be relevant to provide quality healthcare services to the patients (Pun, 2021).
The interpersonal system is the second system that defines nurses’ interaction with patients and other healthcare providers. It is critical that a nurse possesses good interpersonal skills to ensure that they are able to relate with others effectively. Some of the interpersonal skills that are important in a patient’s handover process include effective communication skills to facilitate the exchange of information (Fronczek & Messmer, 2021). Good communication skills are important in establishing good relationships between nurses and patients. Awareness of oneself and the environment is also critical in facilitating a smooth process. The healthcare environment is often stressful, and therefore the nurse needs to be aware of others’ moods to avoid creating a hostile environment that prevents the sharing of information sharing. Collaboration skills will also be critical in facilitating the person-to-person handover by ensuring that the two care providers work together to promote the health and well-being of the patients (Chien et al., 2022).
The social system is the third system which includes concepts such as the regulating authorities and organizational guidelines. This system affects how nurses practice and implement health interventions. The handover process in healthcare settings is often regulated by the policy in an organization. Therefore, for the person-to-person handover policy to be effective, it has to be supported by organizational rules and guidelines. The facility must therefore introduce appropriate frameworks that facilitate the person-to-person handover process (Fronczek & Messmer, 2021).
Some of the major issues likely to affect the project include the organization’s policies that do not support person-person handover and healthcare provider attitudes towards the person-to-person handover process. Person-to-person handover can be time-consuming and might therefore face resistance from the care providers (Pun, 2021).
Conclusion
The literature review found that the person-to-person handover process effectively reduced communication gaps that delay the implementation of postoperative interventions compared to phone-to-phone handovers. Person-to-person handover promotes effective communication between the outgoing and incoming nurses, facilitating the effective transfer of information. Using this approach, nurses can seek clarification on concerns about the patient’s health, facilitating the rapid implementation of postoperative care interventions.

References
Chien, L. J., Slade, D., Dahm, M. R., Brady, B., Roberts, E., Goncharov, L., … & Thornton, A. (2022). Improving patient‐centred care through a tailored intervention addressing nursing clinical handover communication in its organizational and cultural context. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(5), 1413-1430. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jan.15110
Cox, K. L., Lobell, J., Champagne, X., Lesko, A., Corless, L., & Baraban, E. (2020). Abstract TP249: Collaborative In-Person Bedside Handover Improves Emergency Department Nurses’ Confidence in and Compliance With Documentation of Frequent Post Alteplase Neurological Assessments. Stroke, 51(Suppl_1), ATP249-ATP249. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.TP249
Fronczek, A. E., & Messmer, P. R. (2021). Imogene M. King: Conceptual System and Theory of Goal Attainment. Nursing Theorists and Their Work E-Book, 213. https://books.google.co.ke/books?
Pun, J. (2021). Factors associated with nurses’ perceptions, their communication skills and the quality of clinical handover in the Hong Kong context. BMC nursing, 20(1), 1-8. https://bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-021-00624-0