Identified handover tools and techniques in high-risk domains: Using distributed situation awareness theory to inform current practices

• Published in: Safety science Vol. 118; pp. 915 - 924
• Main Authors: Clark, Jediah R., Stanton, Neville A., Revell, Kirsten M.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2019; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Aviation; Communication; Continuity of care; Distributed situation awareness; Domains; Energy distribution; Handoff; Handover; Reviews; Risk; Risk factors; Safety management; Situational awareness; Standardization; Handover; Distributed situation awareness; Handoff; Communication
• ISSN: 0925-7535; 1879-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2019.06.033

•Nineteen handover tools/techniques (HTTs) were identified across high-risk domains.•Tools and techniques are discussed in light of domain-specific constraints.•An in depth overview of each strategy is provided.•Discussion of HTTs using the theory of Distributed Situation Awareness is provided. In high-risk domains, poor shift handover has been identified as a key contributing factor in many incidents. This raises the question of: how can personnel collaborate effectively during shift changes? The vast majority of handover literature relates mainly to healthcare, aviation, energy generation and distribution domains. This review identified 19 distinct handover tools/techniques (HTTs) that domains employ to improve handover communication. The most prevalent HTT is standardisation in the form of a structured checklist, followed by the bidirectional exchange of information. This review assesses and summarises HTTs using ‘distributed situation awareness’ theory, and provides a comprehensive review on what is currently practised in high-risk domain handover, as well as a discussion around their potential contribution to raising distributed situation awareness.