Date of Conferral
9-4-2024
Date of Award
September 2024
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Corinne Wheeler
Abstract
Patient handover communication is the process that occurs when nurses transfer responsibility for patient care and give status reports to nurses who are assuming care of the patient. The practice problem at the project site was the gap in quality, accuracy, and completeness of information that was shared during the handover process. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a staff education program on effective communication handover between nurses and care providers. The practice-focused question for this project was: Will a staff education project increase nurses’ and clinicians’ knowledge and competency with using the situation, background, assessment, and recommendation (SBAR) tool and effective communication during patient handovers? This study involved using SBAR communication, the analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate (ADDIE) model, and adult learning theory. The program was focused on using the SBAR tool to communicate effectively among healthcare stakeholders. Participants completed a knowledge questionnaire before and after participating in the education program. A 12.5% normalized learning gain of averages between pre and posttests suggested an increase in knowledge about the SBAR tool and effective communication. Staff training programs involving using the SBAR tool kit during handover can improve nurses’ knowledge about effective communication. Potential implications for nursing practice and positive social change are to minimize medical errors that are associated with poor communication and improve patient outcomes.
Recommended Citation
OLAWALE, OLUFEMI, "Staff education Program to Enhance Patient Handover Communication" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 16168.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16168
