Background

Handover occurs as a daily task for health care professionals in all levels of care. Handover between ambulance crew and emergency department staff stands for the first exchange of information about a patient’s condition. Different factors may impact the handover communication and make it vulnerable.

Aim

The aim is to highlight factors of importance at handover between the ambulance and emergency room.

Method

A literature review of thirteen studies with qualitative and quantitative research approach. The purpose of this literature review was to provide an overview of the area.

Results

Experiences for health care professionals is that communication is important for patient handover between ambulance and emergency department. This information, as well as how information is structured and communicated, is an important part of the handover process. Knowledge, skills, responsibility and professionalism is conducive for making professional judgments. Health care workers pressured work environment, and lack of organizational structure are factors that can compromise patient safety.

Conclusion

Lack of good work environment, structure and common language has a negative impact on communication. Good attitudes as active listening and interest among staff increases prerequisites for good cooperation in handover