# Patient handoff from the perspective of nursing teams in hemodialysis units

## TL;DR

This study explores how nursing teams in hemodialysis clinics handle patient handoffs and finds that communication is inconsistent and needs improvement.

## Contribution

The study identifies key themes in patient handoff practices and highlights the need for standardized communication protocols in hemodialysis units.

## Key findings

- Patient handoff practices lack standardization across hemodialysis clinics.
- Inconsistent communication during shift handoffs poses risks to patient safety.
- Nursing teams perceive a need for better communication technologies and protocols.

## Abstract

to aimed to explore patient handoff practices among nursing teams in hemodialysis clinics.

this study was conducted from April to June 2022, in six hemodialysis clinics in five health regions in Ceará, Brazil. The study involved 44 in-depth individual interviews with nursing professionals. Interviews occurred from April to June 2022 and were recorded for subsequent transcription.

four themes emerged from the data analysis: Information communicated during patient handoff; Failures in patient handoff; Communication-enabling technologies; and Nursing team’s perceptions on patient handoff.

the findings indicate that the patient handoff practices in hemodialysis clinics lack standardization and require improved communication among the nursing team. The lack of uniformity in information transmitted during shift handoffs poses a potential risk to patient safety and requires attention to enhance communication protocols.