Effects of I Pass the Baton on Quality of handoff among Nurses: A Comparative Study

Background Handoff among nurses will lead to continuity patient care. Using a structured handoff can improve patient safety and communication among carers.Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of applying I Pass the Baton (IPB) on quality of handoff among nurses. Methods The present study was a quasi-experimental study. All nurses of general wards of educational hospitals in Sanandaj, Iran were selected by census method and were randomly assigned to intervention (n = ۳۴) and control (n = ۳۱) groups. Handoff quality was measured by self-report and observation methods. Intervention included a face-to-face training session, training on how to use the I Pass the Baton, inserting the I Pass the Baton chart into the patient file, training leaflet, and installing poster in the ward. In the control group, Situation, background, assessment, recommendation (SBAR) was used based on routine. Data were analyzed using SPSS-۲۵ software, descriptive and non-parametric Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. Findings Results showed that the mean score of quality of handoff in the intervention group before the intervention was ۸۲.۶۱±۱۲.۷۷ and after the intervention was ۱۰۷.۱۱±۷.۹۷ (P <۰.۰۵) and in the control group before the intervention was ۸۹.۰۰ ± ۰.۳۴ and ۸۵.۶۴±۱۹.۱۹ after the intervention (p = ۰.۹۱). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups after the intervention (p <۰.۰۵). Conclusion Implementation of the training program and implementation of the I Pass the Baton tool improved the quality of handoff in terms of interaction and support, patient involvement, information quality and efficiency. The I Pass the Baton has various indicators of patient participation and includes the criteria needed to evaluate the patient. Therefore, it can be used to handoff wide range of patients in the general ward.

Keywords:

Handoff , Nurse , Quality , I Pass the Baton , SBAR