Nurses’ Perceptions Regarding Patient Handover and Affecting Factors

Abstract

Objective:To determine nurses’ perceptions on patient handover and the factors affecting it.Method:This descriptive study was conducted in a training-research hospital between October and November 2022 with 182 nurses. Research data was collected using the “nurse information form” and “patient handover evaluation scale”. Number, percentage, mean, independent groups t-test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U analyzes were used to evaluate the data.Results:The total mean score of the patient handover evaluation scale of the nurses was 73.36±12.77, the mean score of the quality of information sub-dimension was 33.09±6.06, and the mean score of the interaction and support sub-dimension was 24.78±7.01, mean score of the productivity sub-dimension was 15.48±3.48. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the total score and sub-dimension score averages of the patient handover evaluation scale according to gender, position, working willingly/willingly in the unit, receiving education on patient handover, and having problems with patient handover in the unit (p<0.05). The mean score of the patient handover evaluation scale of female nurses is higher than male, and the difference is statistically significant (p<0.05). The total mean score of the patient handover evaluation scale of the nurses who work happily, who are the nurses in charge, who receive training on patient handover and have no problems with the handover of the shift, is higher than the other nurses (p<0.05).Conclusion:Total mean score of the patient handover evaluation scale of the nurses was high, and factors such as receiving education on patient handover, loving the unit, and the position worked were effective in evaluating patient handover.

Keywords

• nursing
• patient handover
• shift handover
• communication
• patient safety