Nurses’ Perceived Barriers to the Implementation and Sustainability of Best Patient Safety in Handover in the Clinical Setting

Nursing clinical handover is a complex process used at the patient’s bedside to enhance communication and safety during shift changes. It is negatively influenced by environmental and other factors. This study aimed to explore nurses’ perceived barriers to the implementation and sustainability of safe patient handover in the clinical setting. From December 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023, 148 nurses from 2 medical wards, 3 intensive care units, and the emergency department of a university hospital participated in a cross-sectional survey study using a self-administered questionnaire. The most significant performance barriers reported by nurses were difficulty in recognizing which information is essential and the provision of irrelevant medical information during handover. The main environmental barriers were staff shortages and busy periods, followed by poor workforce planning and long working hours. The primary systemic barriers reported were a lack of training and overwhelmed staff. Handover is a complex process negatively influenced by the work environment. Organizational adjustments, such as workload reduction and dedicated handover training for staff, are necessary to improve handover procedures and enhance patient safety.