Bedside shift report.

Nurses Safety

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  • by mamason
    Specializes in cardiac.

I was just wondering if your facility utilizes bedside shift reporting. Is it working well? What do you feel are the pros and cons with it? Our facility is going to start to use this method of report very soon. I'm willing to try it..But, don't see how it's really going to work high acuity pts and admissions late in the shift etc...Any thoughts?

blamejoe

46 Posts

Specializes in MH/MR, post-op, oncology, GI, M/S.

My hospital is also going to be using bedside shift report. I've voiced my concerns (the pt.s and families do not even respect report when it doesn't occur in their room, so how can we expect their cooperation when we bring it to them) but they said a unit in our network has been trialing it and has some system to make sure report occurs on time and does not go overtime. They say it is very effective. We'll see, but I have reservations. I'll be interested in replies to this as well.

We've been doing bedside reporting for over a year now, and I like it. For one, the patients seem better informed about their care and what's going on. Secondly, there are no surprises when you step into a room after report, since you've already been in there with the offgoing nurse, and you can see what they might have left undone, ask them to hang a new IV bag, look at a complicated dressing and ask how they changed it, etc. I wouldn't want to go back to the old way of doing report.

firefox828

105 Posts

lasted 2 weeks in our unit; didn't work. first, they tried shift report with all MDs and RNs; time-consuming. next, RN to RN; but, an RN who gets report from 3-4 RN usually leaves the floor late.

dan_dfc

10 Posts

Specializes in er.

We are going to this in our ER, personally I love the idea. No need to round on your patients AFTER you get report, you've already seen everyone and you can get right to work doing what needs to be done! Also, I'm hoping it will solve another problem. There are a couple of nurses on the shift before me who consistently have no idea what is going on with the patients, I've tried gently several different ways to bring them around with no effect, I don't know if they just don't care or are really that ignorant. I can't WAIT to see what happens when they can't answer my most basic questions IN FRONT OF THE PATIENT!

It's OK but it has more potential to be interrupted by both the patient "seeing as you're both here I need the bathroom" you know, that phenomenem where they didn't need anything but since you're here......................... Also some family members constantly interupt because they don't really understand the concept of report, all they see is two nurses walking about with nothing to do. It's not really too much of a problem for the oncoming nurse but a pain for the offgoing nurse as it makes them late.

We do not have to do bedside report in our facility but there are a couple of PRN/float nurses that like it as they really don't work on our floor much. I'm happy to do it if they feel they need to. Pros include you don't have to do quick rounds after report, can tie up any issues right there and then with the outgoing shift.

Batman25

686 Posts

They tried this at my facility before I started working there and it lasted only a few weeks. O/T went through the roof. We do a quick intro of the oncoming nurse and report in private now. I know nothing else so I really like the system we currently have going. The other nurses do as well.

wooh, BSN, RN

1 Article; 4,383 Posts

I can't WAIT to see what happens when they can't answer my most basic questions IN FRONT OF THE PATIENT!

:icon_roll Brilliant. Hope it gives you the ego boost you so desperately seem to want. :icon_roll

Even if I know the care the patient received me wasn't the best, I do my best to clean up any messes with minimal drama in front of the patient. Last thing that *I* need is the patient all of the sudden thinking everyone coming in the room might be incompetent. That's the quickest way to make them super-needy.

Straydandelion

630 Posts

I have done it for ages, and love it. There are no surprises after report all having seen the patient first hand. Using a little judgement i.e. some things are discussed outside the room, some we go in the room to check bandages etc. Up to the bathroom.... press the nurse call button to ask your help (hopefully and if possible) has usually worked unless an emergency. I agree, report lasts slightly longer but think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Specializes in neurotrauma ICU.

I did my externship on a very busy med-surg floor where each RN had 7-9 patients and it did not very smoothly. As previously mentioned there was a lot of OT being paid as well as every pt seemed to need 10 million things during report. However, it was a great tool when it went well.

Now that I have graduated and work in critical care with only 2 patients (and no family members inthe unit during shift change), I think that it would work very well in this setting. (I'm not about to suggest it though! I'm too new to rock the boat!)

proudnurseRN

187 Posts

I don't like the full report at bedside. I like a brief couple of minute rundown with somethings being mentioned outside the hall. (Example: "The x-ray shows a tumor, but the patient doesn't know yet". or "The smell in the room is from his wounds, the doctor may amputate...")

A simple...here's what pt X is in for, here's what he's had done, here's what he's having done. He had pain medicine at X and I turned him at X.

(added note: we have a written report sheet also, for doctors, accuchecks, diet etc)

Have ran into OT most of the time because it's difficult to catch up with all the nurses.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN

1 Article; 1,337 Posts

Specializes in floor to ICU.

They mentioned us starting this but it hasn't happened yet. Sometimes it is difficult enough trying to track down 3 or 4 nurses for a report at the nurses station. I do see the benefit but wonder how this will affect us getting out on time.

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