Safe Clinical Handover
Every shift change is a risk. Information lost in handover is the leading cause of avoidable harm in hospitals. CAREFUL makes handover structured, complete and accountable.
The problem
Paper handover sheets are static. They capture a snapshot that is out of date by the time the next shift reads it. Tasks are scribbled in margins. Context is lost. The incoming team starts their shift blind to what was agreed, what was requested and what was missed.
How CAREFUL solves it
When a clinician hands over a patient, CAREFUL transfers everything: the patient's current status, outstanding actions, referral history, team notes and handover categories specific to the clinical setting.
The incoming clinician sees not just a name on a list, but a plan. Actions have named owners. Nothing falls between the cracks because nothing is invisible.
Consultants can oversee the handover remotely — reviewing the take from home, identifying patients at risk of delay, and intervening before problems escalate.
Results
At Withybush Hospital, digitising the handover with CAREFUL saved 30–60 minutes per doctor per shift and contributed to a 50% reduction in ED wait times within four weeks. 100% of surveyed staff reported improved safety.
Who uses this
Acute medical takes, emergency departments, ICU, surgical teams — any setting where patients transfer between clinicians at shift change or between teams during their stay.