Clear and accurate clinical handovers are an essential skill that paramedics must learn, as every patient requires one when handed over to the hospital for care. An array of problems can occur if a handover is not done properly, the medical professional that is handed the case needs to know all the essential information, as well as what type of treatment the patient has received. Throughout this article, it will be discussed more in-depth what is required in a handover and what complications can arise from an inaccurate and wordy handover.
When a paramedic is handing over a patient to the hospital staff, a universal acronym used by most professionals is IMIST-AMBO. The abbreviation IMIST-AMBO stands for identification, mechanism/medical complaint, injuries, signs, treatment, allergies, medications, background history, and other information.
- Identification acknowledges the patient's name, age, and gender.
- Mechanism is the medical complaint or injury.
- Injuries that have related to the medical complaint.
- Signs include the patient's vital signs, GCS, and symptoms.
- Treatment refers to what drugs the patient has taken.
- Allergies are what the patient is allergic to.
- Medications refer to the patient's regular medications.
- Background history is the patient's past relevant history; this could be medical or anything that may determine the patient's care.
- Other information can refer to anything, typically this may be about the scene, family information, their social status, or anything extra that the staff as for or that you may think will be required.
A paramedic may also use the acronym ISBAR, identity, symptoms, background, assessment, and request. This form of handover is only used when there is not much patient information to be handed to the recipient or the patient complaint is too complex to pinpoint any specific medical condition.
- Identity refers to the patient and will acknowledge their name, age, and gender.
- Symptoms are the patient's complaint; this also includes the paramedic mentioning a history of their complaint.
- Background is further information about the patient such as their medical history.
- Assessment is the patient's vital signs and what was discovered on examination of their patient, this may even include what was not discovered about the patient.
- Request refers to any recommendations that the clinician has for the patient's further care.
Communication is the most important skill that a medical clinician can have, clinicians must relay an endless amount of information to colleagues clearly and concisely while also retaining information about an endless number of patients. It is especially important in a situation when a substantial amount of information must be gathered while trying to figure out the crucial information that can be used to treat your patient and to give to hospital staff. When it comes to communicating your handover, it is vital to only hand over the important information, hence why most clinicians stick to using the IMIST-AMBO handover method. During the handover process, clinicians need to not let their egos and opinions get in the way of their handover, this will not only relay useless information but have a negative outcome on the professional opinion that the patient and recipient will have on the paramedic.
In conclusion, effective handovers are crucial in the field of paramedicine to ensure continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes. Handovers require clear communication, accurate documentation, and a comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and treatment plan. The handover process can be complex, especially in emergency situations, but it is essential for all healthcare providers to prioritize it as a critical aspect of patient care. By implementing standardized handover protocols and utilizing tools such as IMISTAMBO, paramedics can help to improve the quality and safety of patient handovers. Ultimately, effective handovers require collaboration and communication between all members of the healthcare team, and it is essential to continuously evaluate and improve handover practices to provide the best possible care for patients.
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