Standardisation and structuring of nursing handover in paediatric inpatient care: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured handover tool implemented in paediatric inpatient care. Poor communication during clinical handovers can compromise patient safety. The Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation tool adapted for Paediatric Inpatient Care (SBAR-HP) was designed to standardise and improve this process by addressing common barriers such as omission of critical information and lack of structure. Methods A pre–post quasi-experimental study was conducted at Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus using the Handoff CEX Scale to assess quality, adherence, and satisfaction before and after implementing the SBAR-HP. Descriptive analyses and the Wilcoxon test were used to evaluate pre–post changes, alongside a logistic regression model. Results A total of 110 nurses participated before the implementation and 81 afterwards. Of the total participants, 92.7 % were women, with a mean age of 31.1 years (SD = 9.1). Handover quality improved significantly following the introduction of SBAR-HP: the setting dimension rose from 3.8 to 5.3 ( p < 0.00001), organisation from 5.9 to 6.7 ( p = 0.00354), and overall quality from 51.5 to 69 (p < 0.00001). A total of 70.3 % rated their adherence as ≥7/9, and 71.6 % positively assessed its applicability. A positive correlation was observed between self-assessed performance and handover quality, supporting the tool's effectiveness in structuring the process. Conclusion The SBAR-HP is an effective tool for structuring nursing handovers, fostering clear and safe communication in paediatric settings. Its adoption may enhance both patient safety and staff satisfaction. Implications for practice Implementing the SBAR-HP tool in paediatric settings may enhance handover quality, promote safer communication among nurses, and foster a culture of structured clinical exchange.