SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Talking Transfers: Exploring the Nursing Perspective With Out-of-Hospital Transfers

Pdf Summary

This project examined nursing information needs for outside-hospital (OSH) transfers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. OSH transfers are important for moving patients to higher levels of care, but they are often associated with adverse outcomes because of poor communication, missing information, and inconsistent transfer processes. Although a templated physician note had already improved physician communication and reduced adverse events, nursing needs had not been well studied.<br /><br />To address this gap, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 47 nurses from seven units over two weeks in June 2024, covering both day and night shifts. Nurses were asked what information they needed for a safe OSH transfer, where they looked for key details in the EHR, and how they viewed the current transfer process, including the OSH note and transfer log. Responses were organized into categories such as information, transfer process, timing, ambulance, and physician issues. Based on these findings, the team created an educational intervention: a short video showing nurses how to find the OSH note and transfer log, shared by email and QR code.<br /><br />Pre-survey results showed that the biggest problem was not having enough information before the transfer arrived, followed by problems with the transfer process itself. In post-intervention follow-up, 33 nurses were interviewed, but only a small number had seen or used the video. The post-survey received 14 responses, with most respondents viewing the video and many using the resources in practice. Nurses rated the OSH note as fairly useful (4.1/5) and the transfer log as somewhat useful (3.8/5).<br /><br />Overall, the OSH note and transfer log may help improve nursing experience during OSH transfers. However, the educational video had limited reach, so future efforts should expand use of these tools and try different ways of sharing education.

Asset Subtitle

Emily Meinert

Meta Tag

Author List Alan A. Kubey, Emily Meinert

Category Innovations

Concept Outside-Hospital Transfer

Concept Patient Risk

Concept Communication Gap

Concept Transfer Process

Concept Information Needs

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Presenting Author Emily Meinert

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

nursing information needs

outside-hospital transfers

OSH transfers

transfer communication

electronic health record

templated physician note

transfer log

nursing education video

patient transfer process

hospital adverse outcomes

Outside-Hospital Transfer

Patient Risk

Communication Gap

Transfer Process

Information Needs