Factors affecting quality of nurse shift handover in the emergency department

The aim of this study was to explore and test factors hypothesized to influence quality of Emergency Department nurse-to-nurse shift handover communication.

Nurse-to-nurse shift handover communication includes the transfer of information and responsibility for patients at shift change. The unique environment of the Emergency Department, where there is a high degree of patient unpredictability, increased patient volumes and rapid patient turnover, can create challenges for high quality handover communication. There is considerable literature addressing handover communication and factors that influence quality or effectiveness. However, few studies have empirically tested those factors.

A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used to test a conceptual model of factors hypothesized to influence quality of handover communication.

In 2014, data were gathered using surveys mailed to Emergency Department nurses across Ontario, Canada.

The final eligible sample was 231 of 576 for an overall response rate of 40.1%. Analysis was performed using backwards elimination stepwise multiple linear regression. Four statistically significant explanatory variables were retained in the final multiple regression model, explaining 34% (p < .0001) of variance in handover quality. Handover quality was increased when patients flowed smoothly through triage, when nurses experienced positive intrusions, in the presence of a positive safety climate and when there were positive relationships between incoming and outgoing nurses.

By understanding those factors that contribute to handover quality, it is possible to develop targeted interventions aimed at improving the quality of Emergency Department nurse-to-nurse shift handover.