Handing Over a Ward

Procedure

1. Complete all outstanding care, charts and drug entries before the handover time.
2. Assemble the report book, bed state, drug and treatment charts.
3. Give the ward census: admissions, discharges, transfers, deaths and total on the ward.
4. Hand over each patient using a structured format — situation, background, assessment, recommendation.
5. Highlight critically ill patients, patients for theatre, and those on infusions or transfusions.
6. Report outstanding investigations, results awaited and doctors’ instructions not yet carried out.
7. Check controlled drugs, emergency trolley, oxygen and ward keys together with the incoming nurse.
8. Walk round the ward together and introduce the incoming nurse to unstable patients.
9. Both nurses sign the report book to confirm the handover.