The Sustainability of Medical Morning Handover Reporting: Adherence in a Regional Hospital

Background: The Medical Morning Handover Report is a form of clinical handover and is considered to be an essential mechanism for continuity of care and adverse event minimisation within a hospital environment. It is considered a significant Quality of Care activity recommended in Australian Medical Association clinical handover guidelines. The sustainability of such activities has not been reported.

Aim: We aimed to assess the sustainability of Medical Morning Handover Reporting (MMHR) in the Department of Medicine at the Launceston General Hospital since its implementation in 2001.

Methods: We conducted a quality improvement survey amongst the medical staff (pre-graduate and post graduate medical faculties) to assess its sustainability since implementation in 2001.

Results: There were 30 respondents of whom 19 attended MMHR daily, four attended weekly, and only five attended less than weekly. Attendance rates at MMHR were maintained from 2001 to 2009 based on comparisons with previously conducted surveys.

Conclusions: This study shows MMHR is sustainable and has evolved in format to incorporate advances in Health Information Technology. We believe adherence is dependent on providing leadership and structure to MMHR.