Handover in EMS

Effective communication of patient information by prehospital staff is essential to good patient care. In an effort to ensure that the necessary information is transferred with maximum retention by receiving staff, a structured approach is required.

The De M I S T system has proven effective both locally & internationally:

• De = Demographics: name, age
• M = Mechanism of injury / Illness
• I = Injuries sustained/suspected
• S = Signs as recorded (observations)
• T = Treatment administered; times involved

STRUCTURED HANDOVER

When EMS arrives to deliver or collect a patient from an Emergency Centre, the handover is done on a one-to-one basis. EMS staff should communicate directly with one Emergency Centre Staff member. For the duration of the handover, all attention should be directed at this communication.