Perception of Pediatric Nurses on the Use of Standardized Nursing Handover Process in Intra-Hospital Patients Transfer: Attitudes, Barriers, and Practical Challenges

Abstract

Standardized transfer is an evidence-based framework designed to improve communication between healthcare professionals, reducing risks and ensuring safe, high-quality care. Despite its benefits, implementing this framework in clinical practice poses challenges. Nurses often do not use a systematic guide as a theoretical framework for handovers in daily practice.

Objective: To explore nurses' perceptions regarding the use of standardized transfers.

Methodology: This exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study aimed to gain insight into nurses' experiences and perspectives on pediatric patient transfers. Using purposive sampling, nurses from the pediatric intensive care unit and hospital wards at the hospital institution hosting the study were interviewed. Data were collected through 21 in-depth individual interviews conducted between April and May 2023. The semi-structured interviews, lasting 16 to 28 min, focused on nurses' views on communication between units during patient transfers. The qualitative approach allowed for a comprehensive understanding of nurses' perceptions, particularly the barriers they face in practice. The study included 21 nurses: 9 from the pediatric intensive care unit and 12 from pediatric wards. To ensure diverse representation, nurses with varying levels of work experience were included, and at least one nurse from each hospital ward participated.

Results: The data were classified into the following main categories: the current state of pediatric patient transfers, attitudes of healthcare professionals, barriers and challenges to implementation, nursing documentation, motivational aspects, and the child-family relationship. The findings revealed significant issues in the communication process during patient transfers, with no systematic guidelines in place. While nurses demonstrated a positive attitude toward the standardization of transfers, they identified numerous practical challenges, particularly those related to the hospital's nursing documentation system.

Conclusions: Nurses view standardized transfers favorably, but they face substantial barriers that limit their practical implementation.

Keywords: hospitalization area pediatrics; intensive care; patient handoff; patient transfer; qualitative research.