Handover communication in intensive therapy: nursing team meanings and practices.

Objective: To analyze the meanings built by the nursing team regarding communication at shift handover in intensive care units.

Method: A qualitative study, grounded on the theoretical framework of Berlo, was developed in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Rio de Janeiro with the nursing team participating in the handover process or working with patient care. Observation and interviews were conducted, with a thorough description of the data and thematic content analysis.