Improve continuity of care through the use of a checklist for Nurse-To-Nurse Handover with SBAR method in Intensive Care. A single-center observational study

Submitted: 29 November 2024
Accepted: 18 March 2025
Published: 28 May 2025
Abstract Views: 422
PDF (Italiano): 140
PDF: 67
Supplementary materials/Materiali supplementari (Italiano): 70
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Introduction: the World Health Organization promotes the SBAR (Situation Background Assessment Recommendation) method as a standard for handover communication between healthcare professionals. However, in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), there is no universally shared checklist to guide nursing handovers. This study aims to implement an SBAR-based checklist and evaluate its adherence within the sample, as well as measure the effectiveness of a dedicated training program.

Materials and Methods: this is a monocentric observational study with a four-phase design, involving a sample of 28 ICU nurses.

Results: the checklist showed an adherence rate of 68% (n=407). The training program demonstrated a significant increase in the nurses' knowledge (pre-training mean: 6.2; post-training mean: 8.5; p=0.02).

Discussion: the adoption of the checklist, supported by a tailored training course, facilitated a more standardized handover process. It guided nurses in conveying critical patient information in the ICU, improving the completeness of the information shared and reducing the risk of errors.

Conclusion: The implemented checklist proves to be a promising tool for ensuring continuity of care and patient safety in the ICU, underscoring the importance of training for its effective implementation

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Citations

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How to Cite

Cellura, L., Scaglia, S. G., Longo, S., Arioli, R., Pastore, B., Bertolino, A., … Grugnetti, G. (2025). Improve continuity of care through the use of a checklist for Nurse-To-Nurse Handover with SBAR method in Intensive Care. A single-center observational study. Scenario® - Il Nursing Nella Sopravvivenza, 42(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/scenario.2025.615