Introduction: Clinical handover continues to be a safety priority. The transfer of complex trauma patients presents additional challenges. Utilising a standardised process may be valuable in improving patient transfer.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of a standardised process for handover of complex trauma patients compared to a non-standardised process.

Methods: A multi-method study design was used. Observation of inter-departmental nursing handover of complex trauma patients occurred in a tertiary hospital to evaluate the transfer process. This followed six-months of staff education of a standardised process including an automated electronic data entry tool. Interviews with ICU and ward nurses were completed and thematically analysed. Observation and interview data were compared with pre-intervention results examining accuracy and completeness. Ethical approval was received.

Results: Eleven ICU and 10 ward nurses were interviewed, and 11 patient handovers observed and compared with the same number pre-intervention. All nurses in the post-intervention period used the standardised process. The new handover process was highly valued by both ICU and ward nurses. Post-intervention, vascular observations and wound specifics were more likely to be handed over compared to pre-intervention. Similarly, more patient or family members were asked if they had any questions during handover in the post-intervention period. In the pre- and post- intervention handovers there were deficits surrounding handover of fluid balance, patient identity and date of birth.

Conclusion: Precise, accurate and complete handover remains a patient safety concern. Improvement in nursing handover was achieved using a standardised process and handover tool for the transfer of complex trauma patients, however further improvements are required to reduce the failure to handover essential patient information.