Exploring the Experiences and Perceptions of the Utilisation of Structured Clinical Handover Frameworks by Nurses Working in Acute Care Settings: A Scoping Review

Background: There is increased interest in implementing structured clinical handover frameworks to improve clinical handover processes. Research postulates that structured clinical handover frameworks increase the quality of handovers; yet inconsistencies enacting these frameworks exist which has a potential to jeopardise the quality of communication during handovers thereby defeating the purpose of these frameworks.

Aim: This scoping review aims to analyse and synthesise what is currently known of the nurses' experiences and perceptions in implementing structured clinical handover frameworks and identify knowledge gaps in relation to this topic area.

Design: A scoping review guided by the PRISMA-ScR checklist.

Methods: A systematic search of five electronic databases was undertaken to identify peer-reviewed primary research studies which met the predetermined eligibility criteria. In total, 301 studies were imported into COVIDENCE, screened and assessed for eligibility resulting in 23 studies remaining. From the eligible studies, data was extracted, collated, appraised, summarised and interpreted.

Data sources: MEDLINE, CINHAL, ProQuest, EMCARE, Web of Science and Informit.

Results: Twenty three studies were included in this review which yielded the following major themes: (1) quality and completeness of information transfer; (2) interprofessional collaboration; (3) challenges impacting the experience of implementing the structured clinical handover frameworks and (4) perceived impacts on quality, patient safety and health outcomes.

Conclusion: There are key benefits and issues experienced and perceived by nurses implementing structured clinical handover frameworks and this review identifies opportunities for further improvements. Future research should explore the perceived associations with patient outcomes.

Relevance to clinical practice: This review highlights the importance of structured clinical handover frameworks, the nurses' experiences in implementing these frameworks and strategies to improve the effectiveness of these frameworks.

Patient or public contributions: No Patient or Public Contributions as this study is a review of published primary evidence.