Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital decreases MERT calls by improving after-hours handover

RBWH’s nursing team noticed that according to HRT data, across Australian hospitals, there is a 10% increase in mortality after hours and the peak time for patient movement is between 4 and 9pm. To improve patient safety they redesigned their handover procedures between doctors and nurses including a new tool to document 'Patients of Concern'.

After they went live in September 14, after business hour MERT calls fell immediately from about 180 per month to an average of 120 per month.

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital innovation presentation is available to HRT members by clicking here.

Other hospital’s innovations from the 2015 Nursing Improvement Group meeting are available by clicking here.