Eun Man Kim

Nurses' handoff and patient safety culture in perinatal care units: Nurses' handoff evaluation and perception of patient safety culture at delivery room and neonatal unit in South Korea

AIM AND OBJECTIVES To examine nursing handoff, identify causes of handoff errors, evaluate current methods of handoff and determine the factors associated with handoff evaluation in delivery rooms and neonatal units of hospitals in South Korea. BACKGROUND Handoff is a critical communication process in clinical settings. Less attention has been paid to the handoff practice to assure safe perinatal care in hospitals. DESIGN This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. METHODS A total of 291 nurses participated in the study. They completed a set of self-reporting questionnaires containing five instruments that evaluated demographic data and current handoff strategies, experience of handoff error, causes of handoff error, perception of patient safety culture and handoff evaluation. The responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and stepwise regression modelling. RESULTS Perception of patient safety culture was positively related to handoff evaluation, while experience and causes of handoff error were negatively related to handoff evaluation. A regression analysis showed that degree of cooperation among departments and units, reasonable communication and processes, and frequency of reported medical errors were positively related to handoff evaluation and the lack of documented guidelines or checklists was negatively associated with handoff evaluation. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that hospitals should develop a standardised handoff checklist according to documented guidelines, promote cooperation among hospital units and departments, enhance communication and clarify work processes to achieve safer care to create an affirmative culture that encourages reporting of errors to keep patients safe. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This study highlights the importance of standardising handoff process and systems, promoting communication and cooperating with each other to foster patient safety culture in perinatal care units.

Korean nurses’ perspectives regarding handoffs

Background: Nursing handoffs are communicative routines in most nursing units. The handoff is critical to the continuity and safety of patient care. Negative perceptions of handoffs could hinder efficient communication between nurses. Aims: This study identified the perceptions of nurses’ handoffs in Korea. Design: A descriptive survey was employed. The population included nurses who worked in a general ward in 201 hospitals with more than 300 beds. Results: 27.9% responded that the current handoff method needed to be changed and 75.8% had no handoff-related guideline. “Handoffs are frequently interrupted by outsiders’ visits” was the most frequent problem expressed. Variables associated with a perceived need for change in handoff methods were age, handoff method, and preparation time for handoffs. Conclusion: Nurses recognized that handoffs were frequently interrupted by external factors and consumed too much time. Therefore, a standardized handoff method is needed to ensure the accuracy of information.