Authors: Alberta David N, Idang Neji O, Jane E.
Background: The study examined Nurses handover and its implication for nursing care in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar. Nurse handover is a report given when the nursing professional transfers the responsibility for the patients and what has been done in his/her shift to another that is arriving.
Objectives: The following objectives guided the study; to examine the various aspects of nurse handover, identify the methods practiced in UCTH, Calabar; identify the factors influencing Nurses handover and examine its implications on patients’ care in the UCTH, Calabar. Also to test for a significant relationship between nurse handover and patients care in UCTH.
Method: The study employed a descriptive survey design using a sample size of 85 respondent selected purposively. A well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents after ascertaining the reliability of the instrument. Data collected was analysed using SPSS 21.0 statistical packages while the hypothesis was tested using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. The Nursing Need Theory developed by Virginia Henderson in 1966 directed the study.
Results: Findings from the study revealed transfer of information from one shift to the other as an important aspect of nurse handover 71(83.5%) among others; report writing and bedside verbal handover as the methods of nurse handover very often practiced in the UCTH, Calabar 85(100%); Report content, attitude of the nurses, nurse experience, lateness to work, workload and stress, and interpersonal conflicts were identified as influences on nurse handover. The study further revealed that nurse handover enhances nurses and patients /family relationship, improves communication, nurse performance and clinical outcome. A significant positive relationship between nurse handover and patient care was also revealed. However, the study findings highlighted that bedside verbal handover restricts the sharing of vital information concerning patient condition.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the nurse handover is a key moment for guaranteeing the continuity of care and the patients’ safety. Hence the study recommends the need for inclusion of nurse handover in the training curriculum of nursing students, regular updates among practicing nurses to enable them acquire special skills that will improve handover content and communication during handover process, among others.
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