Nurses’ Experiences and Challenges in Handing Over 24-Hour Ward Reports: A Qualitative Study

Background: Effective nurse?to?nurse handover is critical for continuity of care and patient safety. This qualitative study explored nurses’ perspectives and experiences with the 24?hour ward report used during handover at a large tertiary hospital in Brunei. Methods: Four focus groups were conducted with 28 nurses from medical and surgical wards. Sessions were audio?recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three themes emerged: (1) lack of standardised guidelines (2) frequent disturbances and workflow barriers; and (3) perceived effects of the report. Participant quotations illustrate each theme. Conclusion: Nurses identified organisational and procedural barriers to effective use of the 24?hour ward report and perceived both benefits and limitations for communication and continuity. Findings can inform targeted guidance, education, and intervention development. Further research should include observational assessment and evaluation of interventions linking handover practices to patient outcomes.