A cross-sectional study on Challenges to Effective Clinical Handover Among Nurses at Gombe Hospital, Butambala District.
Keywords:
Effective clinical handover, Nurses, Gombe HospitalAbstract
Background: Effective clinical handover among nurses is essential for ensuring continuity of care, patient safety, and quality health service delivery. This study aimed to assess the challenges to effective clinical handover among nurses at Gombe Hospital in Butambala District.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed involving 30 nurses selected from inpatient and outpatient departments. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics to generate frequencies and percentages.
Results: The majority of respondents were female (66.7%), married (66.7%), and working in the inpatient department (60%). Most nurses were certificate holders (70%) and had 10–15 years of work experience (43.3%). Individual-related challenges included limited time for comprehensive handover, with 63.3% reporting they never had sufficient time, and inconsistent documentation of patient care (76.7% sometimes documented). Although 70% acknowledged the importance of handover, only 56.7% felt it was their responsibility. Health facility-related challenges were prominent, including inadequate staffing (86.7%), long working hours with 53.3% working 12-hour shifts, frequent emergencies (60%), and lack of support supervision (63.3%). Additionally, 96.7% reported the absence of appraisal for routine handover, and 90% had not received refresher training. Lack of standardized mandatory handover components was also observed.
Conclusion: The study revealed that both individual and health facility-related factors significantly hinder effective clinical handover at Gombe Hospital. Time constraints, inadequate staffing, poor supervision, lack of training, and absence of standardized handover tools were major challenges.
Recommendations: The hospital management should strengthen staffing levels, introduce standardized handover protocols, provide regular refresher training, and ensure supportive supervision to enhance effective clinical handover practices.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Beatrace Nyangoma, Donatus kimera, Jane Francis Namukwaya (Author)
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