Impact of an educational intervention on nurses’ perception of handoff process in public hospitals in Katsina, Nigeria: a cluster-randomized trial
摘要
Effective patient handoffs are critical for maintaining patient safety and care continuity in healthcare settings. This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the impact of an educational intervention on improving nursing handoffs in Katsina State Public Hospitals.
MethodsConducted over 13 months, the study targeted registered nurses at General Hospital Katsina, comparing outcomes with those from General Hospital Funtua. A six-session educational program was implemented, and participants’ perceptions were assessed before, immediately after, and during follow-up using the “Hospital Staff Views of Patient Handoffs” questionnaire.
ResultsThe facilitator-led intervention group, predominantly female (75.5%) and mostly aged 30–39 and married (86.7%), demonstrated a significant improvement in mean scores across three time points: pre-intervention (3.05 ± 0.32), immediately post-intervention (3.43 ± 0.45), and at follow-up (3.34 ± 0.40), with p < 0.001. Between-group analyses indicated a significant difference in outcomes (p < 0.001), with the facilitator-led intervention group consistently achieving higher scores than the self-directed education group. Post-hoc comparisons revealed significant mean differences between pre- and post-intervention assessments (-0.38, p < 0.001) and between pre-intervention and follow-up assessments (-0.29, p < 0.001). Despite a slight decline at follow-up, the positive impact of the educational intervention remained statistically significant.
ConclusionThis study highlights the enduring positive effects of educational interventions on nursing handoffs and patient safety perceptions. It underscores the importance of ongoing education in cultivating a culture of safety within hospitals, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to enhance patient handoff practices and improve overall patient care.