STUDY OF HANDOVER PRACTICES AMONG NURSING STAFF OF A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN NORTH INDIA

The study aimed to implement a standardized guiding nursing handover protocol and assess its impact on handoff practices. A total of 282 handover observations were analyzed before and after the intervention, and various factors related to handoffs were examined, including time specificity, place of handoffs, methods used, patient involvement, and nursing staff satisfaction. The study found that less experienced nurses faced challenges with handoffs, and the majority of handoffs occurred during evening and night shifts. Patient involvement during handovers was minimal, particularly in emergency and ward settings. The study also revealed the need for training and guidance on handoffs, as many nurses had not received adequate instruction in this area. Following the intervention, improvements were observed in terms of timing precision, duration of handovers, inclusion of bedside handoffs, and satisfaction with the information received during handovers. The study highlights the importance of effective handover practices in ensuring patient safety and suggests the implementation of training programs and standardized guidelines for handoffs.