Bedside Report

[nynursey_]

This week, the instutition in which I work will be rolling out bedside report, a change that will largely impact nursing care (I'll decline to comment whether positively or negatively--that's the purpose of this post).

So I ask you all this: bedside report; friend or foe?

Discuss!

[ixchel]

My issue with devices is that I answer them when appropriate. Heck, if I'm busy at home, I don't even answer my sister's calls! I note who the call is from and call back when I'm ready to.

I've discussed this before, but this place I used to work for gave each nurse a cell phone. Our HUC used to get after me for not answering mine: "I transferred a call to you, but you didn't answer it. Is your phone on?" Me: "Yes, it's on, but I was downstairs eating lunch. I don't carry my phone while on break because I am off the clock." or "Yes, it's on, but I happened to be toileting a resident when it rang. I don't answer cell phones at inappropriate times--such as when I'm busy toileting someone."

.

We have this one monitor tech who gets impatient and rude if we don't answer right away. I had to sit with her for a few hours one day, and she got all high and mighty about her role in my life. Look, I appreciate my monitor techs very much, but chill with the God complex. Anyway, I finally got frustrated and told her I'm sorry but if I'm elbow deep in cdiff poop, I'm not answering my phone. Man she was peeved. It's just not possible to be everywhere at once, immediately available for everything. On one hand, I do like that I could get a message from a patient and know before I walk in the room what they will want. On the other hand, I could see them becoming more impatient.

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

You know that the person who came up with this are not direct care staff! I can see the purpose of MyChart, but not the messaging feature. It will be abused and staff will be pushed for time even more. On their website it says "overdue upgrade from the call light. Instead of pushing the call light to ask for a drink or a blanket, just send a message to your nurse"....

Or worse, taking the time to help the patient figure out how to use the thing so they can send you a message...

[flyersfan88]

I only know life of bedside report....and I must say I enjoy it. No surprises, and we're able to hold each other accountable. We don't wake sleeping patients unless they want to be woken for report, and it does not take longer than standing at the nurses station. Plus, it's a great way to ensure you aren't forgetting anything pertinent. 96% of the time, the patient doesn't jump in and interrupt.

There is a lot more to get riled up about than bedside report. It works out really well on my floor.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Or worse, taking the time to help the patient figure out how to use the thing so they can send you a message...

I know, right? There isn't enough time for patient teaching as it is.

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

We've bedside reported since I started at my facility. We don't wake sleeping patients, we never feel like we are interrogating each other (I like 99% of my coworkers and we are all on the same team).

It can be a hassle sometimes if you're getting report from multiple people but we make due, we also have a full half hour overlap of shifts at 7am and 7pm to get report done. So day shift works 7-1930 and nights works 19-0730. Some people only work 8s though too.

As a whole we prefer to introduce the next nurse and patients and their families seem to like it as well. I also then know right away who I need to come back and see ASAP and who can wait, I eyeball fluids and know who I need to bring in a new bag for right away etc. it gives me a lot of info on my people in the 2 min we are in the room.

edit: if the patient is not alone we ask if it's okay to speaks in front of the people or ask them to step out for a moment

As I said before, we already bedside round at shift change. So I already do all those things. We have semi-private rooms so the HIPAA concerns go way beyond visitors of the patient.

You are super lucky that you have a great team and no one makes report an unpleasant experience for you. Hold on to your job with both hands!

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

Wow, next week we are starting bedside reporting in my hospital as well! I think there are pros and cons to bedside reporting, as other expressed HIPAA concerns, waking up patients, a grilling co-worker, etc. As long as there is flexibility I think we can make it work.

I see you're in NY too.... Heh, maybe everyone from our hospital has come to AN to talk about this:)

[melizerd, ASN, RN]

As I said before, we already bedside round at shift change. So I already do all those things. We have semi-private rooms so the HIPAA concerns go way beyond visitors of the patient.

You are super lucky that you have a great team and no one makes report an unpleasant experience for you. Hold on to your job with both hands!

Oh oh I know I'm lucky!! I'm not going anywhere for a very long time.

We have all private rooms which does make it easier. I can't imagine wanting do do bedside with a roommate.

[VANurse2010]

I only know life of bedside report....and I must say I enjoy it. No surprises, and we're able to hold each other accountable. We don't wake sleeping patients unless they want to be woken for report, and it does not take longer than standing at the nurses station. Plus, it's a great way to ensure you aren't forgetting anything pertinent. 96% of the time, the patient doesn't jump in and interrupt.

There is a lot more to get riled up about than bedside report. It works out really well on my floor.

If that's all you've ever done, then perhaps you lack perspective on why it sucks.

[ScrappytheCoco]

Bedside report was mandatory at my last job. I didn't mind it, but of course the oncoming nurse got the "real" report (this patient is nuts/faking seizures/has enabling family) outside before we go into the room.

[flyersfan88]

If that's all you've ever done, then perhaps you lack perspective on why it sucks.

Meh. I know the experience is miniscule in comparison, but I find it to be much more helpful than when giving/getting report at a desk like in clinical. I wasn't aware that I wasn't able to advocate for why it's a good thing. After all, since I have to do it every day, shouldn't my perspective be equally as valid?

[VANurse2010]

Meh. I know the experience is miniscule in comparison, but I find it to be much more helpful than when giving/getting report at a desk like in clinical. I wasn't aware that I wasn't able to advocate for why it's a good thing. After all, since I have to do it every day, shouldn't my perspective be equally as valid?

It's difficult for me to take it seriously when your only basis for comparison is nursing school clinical.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

We have been doing it for a while. I like to get a basic hx before we go into the room and we try not wake them up. When the two nurses handing off have some common sense, it works great, but when get the nurse that wants to tell you the patient's 2nd grade teacher and everything since then, it defeats the purpose.

There have been occasions when we have caught something that got missed (like a provider acknowledging their own orders so we would have never seen them) and it makes it easy to sign off/check PCA, regionals, any drips that need sign-offs.

Overall, it's a plus.