SBAR Shift Report Training Program and its Effect on Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice and Their Perception of Shift Handoff Communication

Introduction: Handover is a key factor in the continuity of care and is the most vital communication means among nurses. Using an identical method for this can enhance the quality of the handover. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a shift reporting training program using the Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation tool on nurses’ knowledge and practice and their perception of shift handoff communication in noncritical departments. Methods: A quasiexperimental research design. The study was held in noncritical departments on 83 staff nurses. Researcher used a knowledge questionnaire, an observation checklist, and two perception scales were used to collect data. Statistical data analysis was performed with SPSS using descriptive, chi-square or Fisher exact tests, correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression model. Results: Nurses varied in age from 22 to 45 years old, with 85.5% of them being female. After the intervention, their knowledge rose from 4.8% to 92.8% (p < .001), the adequate practice reached 100%, and their perception of the process had significant improvement (p < .001). Using multivariate analysis, the study involvement was the main significant independent positive predictor of nurses’ knowledge and scores, and these latter were positive predictors of their perception. Conclusion: Using the shift work reporting method had a significant effect among the study participants using Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation tool and improved their knowledge, practice and perception of shift handoff communication.