Test-Theoretic Examination of the German Translation of the Handover Evaluation Scale: A Quantitative Study.

Background and Purpose: Effective nursing shift handovers are critical for patient safety but are prone to errors. No validated German instrument exists to assess handover quality. This study psychometrically evaluated the Handover Evaluation Scale (HES) for German nursing practice. Methods: Data were collected before and after implementing electronic nursing documentation at Helios Hospital München West. Psychometric analyses were done using IBM SPSS Statistics and JASP. Results: The German HES showed substantial limitations in reliability and construct validity. Confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original three-factor model. Alternative one-, two-, and three-factor models improved fit but remained limited. Conclusions: The German HES is not yet suitable for clinical use. Substantial refinement or development of a new context-specific instrument is required for assessment of handover quality.