Assessment to improve the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Nursing Officers on Shift Handover at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya

Background: The handing over and taking over process is the transfer of professional responsibility and accountability for some or all aspects of care for new person or team at the change of shift from the outgoing worker/s to the incoming worker/s. It is a vital and effective communication essential to maintain patient safety and quality of care.Objective: To assess and improve the knowledge, attitudes and practices on shift handover of nursing officers at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Teaching Hospital Karapitiya.Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all registered Nursing officers at NICU, TH Karapitiya, using a self-administered questionnaire, an observational checklist and key informant interviews from 03rd to 31st of January 2022. Awareness enhancing discussions and a self-assessment check list of shift handover of nursing officers were introduced and implemented to streamline the process.Results: The level of the knowledge on shift handover/ taking over is below the expected value (58%). Mistakes/errors in some aspects of patient handover practices were observed by a checklist. Improvements were observed.Conclusion: Level of the knowledge on shift handover/ taking over is below the expected standard. Mistakes/errors in some aspects of patient handover practices were observed. A Self-assessment check list of shift handover of nursing officers could be utilized to mitigate handing-over errors and to provide quality and safe health care service.