Improving Handing Over Practices Among Nurses Using A Structured Communication Tool (Sbar): A Study At 37 Military Hospital

Abstract

Miscommunication among health care providers is the root cause of errors leading to injury and death of patients. Consequently, handing over communication has become a primary focus of international and national concern. Nurses handing over has been identified to be prone to errors. The use of structured communication tools such as SBAR has been found to improve communication among health care providers and promote a positive outcome on patient safety. The purpose of this study is to observe the handing over practices, implement and assess the use of nurses with the use of SBAR communication tool in Ghana. The study design adopted an interventional sequential explanatory research design. Triangulation was applied in data collection; pre-test and post-test questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data and observation, semi-structured interviews and document analysis was used to collect qualitative data. Both quantitative and qualitative findings showed that participants were satisfied with handing over using the SBAR, because the SBAR tool is concise, accurate, quick, simple, well-structured and an effective tool for communication. Majority of the nurses (74.5%) recommended the use of SBAR in the hospital because the SBAR is easier to use, contains detailed and vital information, enhances systemic assessment and is more helpful than the existing method of handing over. Nurses expressed satisfaction with the way patients are handed over with the SBAR than the existing method as nurses stated that, important information is not skipped, the SBAR organize the handing over process, the SBAR summarizes handing over information and any nurse can hand over with the SBAR. The study recommended that, 37 Military Hospital should consider using the SBAR, Ghana Health Service should revise patient safety policy to include structured communication and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of Ghana should consider adding structured handing over in nursing education.