Date of Conferral

12-22-2025

Date of Award

December 2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Corinne Romano

Abstract

This staff education project was initiated to address the lack of standardized handoff procedures which was found to have contributed to an adverse outcome for a hospitalized patient. The purpose of this project was to address the question: Will an interactive education program on a standardized handoff tool increase nursing staffs’ knowledge and self-confidence regarding its use? The project involved educating 20 inpatient nurses and care staff about the structure of the SIGNOUT? handoff tool using a PowerPoint presentation with a follow-up practice simulation. Handoff sheets and visuals were distributed to aid in the learning process. Pre- and post-education surveys were used to gauge changes in knowledge and confidence resulting from the educational session and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results demonstrated a post-educational increase in the mean score for confidence in using (2.5 pre- versus 3.8 post-; mean score change of + 1.3) and understanding of (3.95 pre- versus 4.25 post-: mean change of +0.3) the SIGNOUT? handoff tool but showed a drop in perceptions of safety with using the tool (4.4 pre- versus 4.25 post-; mean change of -0.15) and awareness of information that was needed for safe handoffs (4.4 pre- versus 4.15 post-; mean change of -0.25). Overall, the project was successful in terms of introducing the tool and increasing nursing knowledge and confidence in its use. Providing standardized handoff education positively impacts nursing practice, social change and diversity, equity, and inclusion by decreasing variability and bias in terms of information that is transferred between caregivers and reduces risks of patient harm associated with omissions.

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