Perceptions of Registered Nurses regarding nurse-nurse communication during bedside clinical handover in a private hospital in Mpumalanga Province

Abstract

Aim and objectives The aim of the study was to obtain the perceptions of registered nurses regarding nurse-nurse communication during bedside clinical handover in a level three private hospital of Mpumalanga province. The objectives were to obtain the participants’ demographics, their perceptions regarding the clinical bedside handover and the communication during the clinical bedside handover. Recommendations for clinical practice and education were provided thereafter.

Background Communication during bedside clinical handover is described as the transfer of the patient, information, equipment, professional responsibility and accountability from one professional person or group to another. Effective communication during bedside clinical handover is vital in providing high quality care. Failure to communicate essential patient information by the registered nurse can lead to undesirable adverse effects.

Methods A quantitative descriptive design was used to obtain an answer to the research question. Total population sampling, due to the relatively small population, was used to single out registered nurses working in nine units of the selected hospital. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and frequency distributions and descriptive statistics with graphs and Fisher’s exact test were used to analyse data. Testing was done at the 0.05 level of significance. Cronbach’s alpha was computed to assess internal reliability.

Results Four major results emerged from the data: • Timing of the handover process remains a challenge to the quality of communication during bedside clinical handover. • Lack of confidence and experience of the registered nurse present a threat to the quality of communication during bedside clinical handover. • Team dynamics including the use of indigenous language during bedside clinical handover resulted in lack of teamwork and trust, posing a threat to the quality of communication during bedside clinical handover. • Task factors, environmental factors, organisational factors and nurse factors affects the quality of communication during bedside clinical handover.

Conclusion The results of the study will be communicated to the management team including the nursing staff of the selected hospital under study. Challenges and threats identified related to the quality of bedside clinical handover will be used as a management tool for quality improvement.

Key words: Communication, Bedside Clinical Handover, Nurses, Perception