Evaluation of Nurses' Shift Handover

Background: The shift handover process is important for patient safety in the nursing profession. Information should be accurate, complete, and understandable in the shift handover, and should be provided by the right people at the right time. Aim: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the shift handover effectiveness of nurses. Methodology: The study sample consisted of 192 nurses who perform a shift handover. The study data were collected using the personal information form and the Handover Evaluation Scale. Results: In the study, the mean score of nurses on the Handover Evaluation Scale was 58.61±8.53, and it was found that the nurses had a higher level of handover effectiveness. It was found that 64.1% of nurses prepared before a handover, and all nurses spent 30 minutes or less on shift handover. Conclusions: Although the shift handover efficiency of nurses was found to be at a higher level in the study, it is obvious that developing standard forms for shift handover is important in order to ensure and maintain patient safety. It is recommended to conduct further studies in order to contribute to the literature on this topic.