My facility does it, or we are supposed to. Nobody on my unit gives bedside report. Everyone hates the idea of it.
The problems I see with it:
1. Especially for nights going into day shift: Often we have friends or family members sleep in room with the patient. This in itself could bring up a few issues. To begin with, there is potential for HIPAA violation. Or as a coworker mentioned, you now have these other family/friend ears listening in, and the potential for drama that could bring with the twisting of what was said and misunderstandings. If the patient doesn't want the person rooming in to hear report (which would probably be quite unusual) then you would have to fully rouse said individual and escort them out of room so report could commence, further delaying report and probably leaving for some unhappy kicked-out-of room-folks.
2. I think most of us feel uncomfortable with what to say in report in front of the patient. Obviously we can all think of things that would be awkward to discuss. Does that then mean you have two reports given? One that is prettied up for patient and then "the real deal" outside the room?
3. Interruptions. I see lots of interruptions happening in this scenario.
4. Fear of accidentally slipping some diagnosis or result that the patient was not yet privy to.
Benefits would include less gossip and judgmental tidbits mixed in with report. Probably a more streamline fashion of giving report. The patient is involved and can ask questions (which is also a con as I mentioned above-interruptions).
Do you give bedside report? Do you like it? Hate it?