Evaluating the quality of nursing handover process and its Obstacles

Background An exact handover has great importance for the continuity and safety of patients care in the health field. If handover information is not shared accurately and promptly it may lead to worse effect, delays patients' treatment, diagnosis, and care. During the last decade, the call for interventions to improve handover has increased to decrease the risk of misunderstanding, miscommunication and the exclusion of critical information. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and obstacles of the handover process in nursing shifts. Subject and Methods A descriptive exploratory research design used in this study. The study was conducted k8in intensive care units (ICUs) at Mansoura Emergency Hospital and Surgical units at Mansoura University Hospital. A convenience sample of 80 nurses participated in this study. Two tools were used, quality of handed over information and Nurses' practice Observational checklist for the handover process. Results Ninety-five percent of the studied sample were female, 70% of them had a diploma degree of nursing and more than two-thirds (70%) of nurses had years of experience between 5 to 15 years. More than two-thirds (70%) of nurses conducted handover process verbally via face to face method at the bedside. Comorbidities and allergies are not conducted during the handover process while patient name, age, and investigations received are conducted in 20% only. Plans for the next shift, information about the problem anticipated is not included in all handover processes. Three-fourths of nurses didn't discuss the possible risks and complications during their handover process. All of the handover processes (100%) did not follow a logical structure. Recommendations Nursing staff needs interventional programs to improve their oral handover process in addition, to learn them about the various style of handover.