Nurses’ Perspectives on Shift Handover Practices in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Effective shift handover is vital for ensuring continuity of care and patient safety through coordinated communication among healthcare providers. Nurses play a crucial role in patient care; therefore, this study explored nurses’ perspectives on shift handover practices in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 242 nurses randomly selected from 22 wards/units operating three daily shifts. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, with a reliability coefficient of 0.810. Findings were presented using frequencies and percentages, and hypotheses were tested using the Chi-square test at a 0.05 level of significance. The results indicated that approximately 97% of respondents perceived nursing shift handover as the transfer of responsibility and accountability for patient care, while 3.7% believed that multiple shifts contributed to fragmentation, discontinuity of care, and adverse events such as medication errors. Patient handovers occurred mainly at the bedside and occasionally at the nurses’ station, with communication conducted orally and in written form rather than digitally. Although shift handover practices were generally adequate and included essential patient information, the process was inconsistent and challenged by noise and distractions, communication breakdowns, lateness to duty, limited resources, an unfriendly work environment, and a lack of institutional support. The study concludes that while nursing shift handover practices were generally satisfactory, targeted interventions such as standardized handover tools, clear protocols, and digital systems are needed to improve consistency, continuity of care, and patient safety.