Abstract:
Effective handover within health care setting is vital to patient safety as it
helps in preventing errors and reducing risks. However, nursing handovers
appears to be an area that has received limited research focus. This study
explored handover process and content of communication among registered
nurses at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). Specifically, it assessed
handover process among registered nurses using the Nursing and Midwifery
Council (NMC) of Ghana handing over protocol as a guide, described the
content of communication in handover from one nurse to the other and
identified factors influencing the types of information outgoing nurses’
handover to incoming nurses. A descriptive qualitative case study design was
employed. Thirty-three inter-shift handovers were assessed using an
observational checklist developed from the Nurses and Midwifery Council
handing over protocol and ten shift ward in-charges were interviewed using a
semi-structured interview guide developed. The observational checklist was
analysed using percentages and frequencies, whilst the transcribed data from
the interview was coded and analyzed thematically which generated three
categories and eleven subcategories. The study showed there was limited
adherence to the handover process by the registered nurses as directed by the
Nurses and Midwifery Council’s protocol on handover. Key content of the
communication component included patient identification information,
nursing information, medical information and clinical state. It was
recommended that the CCTH nursing management will adopt a
communication tool or checklist such as SBAR to enhance effective
communication during handover.
