Effect of ISBAR Clinical Handover Application on Nurses’ Perception of Communication and Attitudes toward Patient Safety at Emirates Maternity Hospital in Gaza Strip, Palestine

Abstract

Background: Good communication is necessary for safety and quality of health. This study aims to determine the effect of ISBAR communication on nurses’ perception of communication and attitudes toward patient safety in the Emirates Maternity Hospital in the Gaza Strip, PalestineMethod: A single-group hospital-based intervention study (pre and posttest) was conducted. A census sample was used. Participants  opinions about the effect of ISBAR were gathered using two tools established by Shortell, Rousseau, Sexton, and Helmreich to assess the  communication awareness and nurses’ attitudes towards safety, respectively, before and after the use of the ISBAR program.Results: After the ISBAR application, nurses’ perception of communication demonstrated a positive and significant increase in the three  sub-items (openness, accuracy and understanding, and shift communication) in the nurse–nurse communication. Moreover, in four sub- items (openness, accuracy, and understanding, timeliness, and satisfaction) in nurse–doctor communication, (p ˂ 0.05). Further, the  nurses’ attitudes toward patient safety showed a significant and positive increase in teamwork climate (p˂0.001), safety climate (p =  0.007), job satisfaction and working condition (p˂0.001), stress recognition (p = 0.008), and perception of management (p = 0.001).  Conclusion: The results provide significant evidence of the positive effects of the ISBAR program in improving nurses’ perceptions of  communication and attitudes toward patient safety. It is recommended that healthcare providers use ISBAR communication in their  practice. Moreover, periodic training programs are required for effective ISBAR communication among the healthcare team.