Patient handover practice of nurses and associated factors in South Wollo Zone Public Hospitals, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study assessed patient handover practices and associated factors among inpatient nurses at South Wollo Zone hospitals in Ethiopia (2022). A hospital-based cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire and observational checklist was conducted with 389 of which 369 of them responded the self-administered questionnaire inpatient nurses. The overall handover practice level was 43.6%. Positive associations were found with technology use and the availability of protocols, while fatigue and intrusions negatively impacted practice. The study highlights the need to improve handover practices through technological enhancements, the development of effective protocols, and improved nurse staffing to mitigate fatigue.