Investigator(s)
| Submitter |
Kuenzang Dorji Health Services Quality Assurance Division (HSQAD), Department of Health Services (DHS), Ministry of Health (MoH), Bhutan. Kuenzang Dorji 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Kuenzang Dorji Health Services Quality Assurance Division (HSQAD), Department of Health Services (DHS), Ministry of Health (MoH), Bhutan. Kuenzang Dorji
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Karma Galey HSQAD, DHS, MoH Karma Galey
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Jigme Kelzang HSQAD, DHS, MoH Jigme Kelzang
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Sonam Zangpo HSQAD, DHS, MoH Sonam Zangpo
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Sonam Tshewang HSQAD, DHS, MoH Sonam Tshewang
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Thinley Thinley DCS, NMS, MoH Thinley Thinley
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Nursing Handover in Bhutan: Culture and Practices Survey |
| Public title | Nursing Handover in Bhutan: Culture and Practices Survey |
| Background | Clinical handover is the process of transferring a patient’s care, including relevant information, equipment, professional responsibility, and accountability, from one healthcare professional or team to another (1). This process is essential for ensuring continuity of care, improving patient outcomes, minimizing adverse events, and reducing re-admissions (2). According to the WHO, one in every patient is harmed during healthcare, with over 50% of these incidents being preventable (3). The Institute of Medicine and the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations report that communication failure is the leading cause of preventable medical errors, accounting for up to 70% of errors in clinical practice (1). An Australian study involving 14,000 admissions found that 17% were associated with adverse events, with communication issues contributing to 11% of these cases (4). The WHO has included clinical handover as one of its "High-Five" initiatives for patient safety (1). Nursing handover, a key form of clinical handover, is vital for continuity of care. Nurses, who are in constant contact with patients, serve as the primary communicators with other healthcare professionals. Nursing handovers typically occur three times a day, with two handovers during each shift, making them the most frequent type of clinical handover and increasing the potential for errors. However, nursing handovers are often time-consuming, lack standardization, and are learned through practical exposure rather than formal training, making them more prone to errors (2,4). Despite its significance, the Bhutanese healthcare system lacks prescribed standards for nursing handovers, hindering efforts for continuous quality improvement. |
| Objectives | I. General Objective: To assess the culture and practices of nursing handover in Bhutan to enhance patient safety and quality of care. II. Specific Objectives: • To evaluate the culture of nursing handover • To evaluate the formats and components of nursing handover • To gain insights into barriers to nursing handover. |
| Study Methods | This cross-sectional, observational study will utilise an online survey to collect data from BMHC registered nurses across Bhutan. The survey will capture both quantitative and qualitative data on nursing handover practices. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | The results of this study will be instrumental in: • Informing healthcare administrators and policymakers about the current state of nursing handover practices in Bhutan. • Providing evidence-based recommendations for standardizing nursing handover processes to enhance patient safety and care quality. • Facilitating the development of training programs tailored to address identified barriers and improve communication during handovers. • Supporting the establishment of guidelines and protocols that foster a culture of safety and quality in nursing practices within the Bhutanese healthcare system. |
| Keywords | Nursing handover, patient safety, healthcare quality, Bhutan. |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 01-Feb-2025 |
| End Date | 30-Apr-2025 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Ministry of Health |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | Yes |
| Research Domain(s) | Non-communicable diseases & Healthy Lifestyles |
| Research field(s) | Other (Healthcare quality and safety) |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Population-Based Survey | |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | No |