The Integrated Telehandover Project commenced at The Townsville Hospital in October 2017 and has concluded 30th June 2018. It was anticipated that a video-conferenced inter-facility clinical handover could provide safer, higher quality clinical handovers for inter-hospital transfers.
The project operated through six phases; defining, mapping, planning, implementation, control and closure. 22 Telehandover occasions of service were recorded. Nine occurred within the THHS, 11 occurred inter-health service, one interstate and one international. TEMSU were involved with 14 out of the 22 occasions of service. All six project objectives were accomplished.
Telehandover supported person centred care, provided a higher quality clinical handover, assisted patient transfer and enhanced inter-facility communications. Telehandover supported the increase of Telehealth inpatient activity and utilised current Telehealth resources. Telehandover was also integrated into pre-existing patient flow pathways.
