https://doi.org/10.4081/scenario.2025.615

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

Vol. 42 No. 2 (2025)
Submitted: 29 November 2024
Accepted: 18 March 2025
Published: 28 May 2025
Nurse handover, patient handoff, SBAR method, intensive care unit, observational study
Abstract Views: 498
PDF (Italiano): 170
PDF: 78
Supplementary materials/Materiali supplementari (Italiano): 77
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Authors

Luciano Cellura
l.cellura@smatteo.pv.it
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5694-4758
RN, MSN, Intensive Care Unit Nurse, Emergency and Urgency Department, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
Stefano Gabriele Scaglia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2904-6470
RN, MSN, Oncology-Hematology-Pediatric Unit Head Nurse, Women and Maternal-Children Department, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
Sara Longo
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6697-9508
RN, MSN, Intensive Care Unit Nurse, Emergency and Urgency Department, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
Raffaella Arioli
RN, MSN, Intensive Care Unit Head Nurse, Emergency and Urgency Department, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
Beatrice Pastore
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3533-2141
RN, Neuro-Trauma Intensive Care Unit Nurse, Emergency and Urgency Department, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
Alessia Bertolino
RN, Neuro-Trauma Intensive Care Unit Nurse, Emergency and Urgency Department, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia;, Italy.
Giorgia Meda
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0015-5397
RN, MSN, Intensive Care Unit Nurse, Emergency and Urgency Department, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
Anna Maria Grugnetti
RN, MSC, PhD, C.S. Health Professions Directorate, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
Giuseppina Grugnetti
RN, MSN, Director at Directorate of Health Professions, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy.

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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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
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