Impact of Bedside Handover on Patient Perceptions and Hospital Organizational Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Nursing handover is a critical component of healthcare, ensuring continuity of care and patient safety. Bedside handover, conducted at the patient's bedside during shift changes, has been proposed as a strategy to enhance communication among healthcare professionals, increase patient involvement, and optimize hospital efficiency. However, concerns persist regarding privacy, time constraints, and the quality of information exchanged. This systematic review aims to assess the impact of bedside handover on patient outcomes and hospital organizational performance, evaluating both its benefits and challenges. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Quantitative and qualitative studies published between 2004 and 2024 were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL. The methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) appraisal tools. Data were synthesized narratively. Out of 6396 initially identified records, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria, but one was excluded following quality appraisal due to low methodological quality. Therefore, 13 studies were included in the final review. Bedside handover was associated with significant benefits for patients, including improved perceived safety, satisfaction, reduced anxiety, and active involvement in their care. From an organizational perspective, bedside handover led to reduced handover duration, decreased shift overtime, and fewer nurse call requests, contributing to cost savings. However, concerns about patient privacy and variability in implementation practices were identified as potential barriers. Bedside handover represents a valuable opportunity to improve patient-centered care and hospital efficiency. Despite certain challenges, its advantages outweigh its drawbacks. Effective implementation requires addressing privacy concerns and providing adequate training for healthcare professionals to ensure consistency and adherence to best practices.