Front‐line nurses' perceptions of intra‐hospital handover

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To explore nurses' perceptions of factors that help or hinder intra-hospital handover. BACKGROUND: Miscommunication during clinical handover is a leading cause of clinical incidents in hospitals. Intra-hospital nursing handover between the emergency department and inpatient unit is particularly complex. DESIGN: A descriptive, qualitative study. This research adheres to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. METHODS: Forty-nine nurses participated in group interviews, which were analysed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Three categories emerged: (a) "lacking clear responsibilities for who provides handover"; (b) "strategies to ensure continuity of information"; and (c) "strained relationships during handover." CONCLUSIONS: Intra-hospital handover requires clear processes, to promote high-quality information sharing. Ensuring these processes are broad and acceptable across units may ensure nurses' needs are met. Relational continuity between nurses is an important consideration when improving intra-hospital handover. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nursing managers are optimally positioned to enhance intra-hospital handover, by liaising and enforcing standardisation of processes across units. Nurse managers could promote intra-unit activities that foster front-line nurses' communication with each other, to encourage problem-solving and partnerships.