Standardized Change-of-Shift Handoff: Nurses' Perspectives and Implications for Evidence-Based Practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing communication
• Patient safety
• Healthcare quality improvement

Background:

• Nursing handoff is a critical communication process prone to information loss or omission.
• Standardization of handoff processes and content is a key strategy for improving this communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' perspectives on the structure and organization of change-of-shift handoffs.
• To identify factors influencing the effectiveness of nursing handoff communication.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive approach utilizing secondary analysis of focus group data.
• Focus groups conducted with 34 nurses across 4 critical care units.

Main Results:

• Three emergent themes: handoff elements are shaped by practice and culture.
• A clear, consistent structure is essential for effective handoffs.
• Personal preferences can significantly impact and potentially disrupt handoff communication.

Conclusions:

• Standardized handoff approaches tailored to unit and organizational needs are more effective than universal mandates.
• Individual nurse preferences strongly influence information content and structural organization during handoffs.
• Addressing individual preferences within a standardized framework can optimize nursing handoff effectiveness.