Bedside Reporting

[Bluebell.]

Hello Nurses,

I know nurses are supposed to implement end-of-shift bedside reporting to encourage patients to participate more in their care, but sometimes it seems like its not always an option due to tired patients and nurses and the fact that bedside reporting may take too long. This is based on my observation during my current clinical rotation. What are your thoughts on bedside reporting, and do you have any alternatives?

[Clovery]

I have worked on units where bedside report turns into "let me give you a long list of things to do before you can leave". I work nights and I understand day shift has the pressure of administration on their backs about every little thing (I've worked days, too). But sometimes it just gets ridiculous. Once I was giving bedside report and the patient decided at that moment to finally cough up their sputum sample into the container on their table. The incoming nurse said to me "You're going to send that to the lab, right?" I didn't want to argue in front of the patient so I just did it but I couldn't believe she asked me to take care of it. Other things like I didn't put a chair alarm on the bedside chair for the fall precautions patient who came in at 2 am and has been sleeping in bed all night. Although I have to admit getting bedside report "right" for the most anal nurses has become somewhat of a personal challenge.

I prefer to give "real" report at the desk, then make rounds together, the incoming nurse updates the white board, checks the IV, asks about pain, and mentions the patient's upcoming procedures and treatments. I think this is good customer service, gives the patient the security that their needs have been communicated without wasting too much time in the room.

[MendedHeart]

As hard as it is and was to get people to do it, it has increased our scores on communication between nurses and patients.

It is Evidence based as well.

Patient will only become more and more involved in their care and decision making as the healthcare culture continues to change.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I flat out refuse to participate in bedside report unless the other person insists on it. I plop down at the desk and I'm only getting up if the person I'm getting report from/giving report to walks away from me and stands in the room and stares at me until I come in.

I have NOT got time to participate in bedside report. Patients and families always ask a lot of questions, even questions about stuff I've already told them about before, and when the patient is so complicated report on that one patient would take 20 or 30 minutes WITHOUT being interrupted, I have seen it take a full 45 minutes to give report on ONE patient with the family members constantly interjecting things. Bedside report is great for unconscious, sedated patients on a ventilator who cannot interrupt you and have no family in the room. In all other circumstances, it is a hassle with no benefit.

[nynursey_]

It remains an epic failure at my hospital. ✌🏼️

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

We are encouraged to participate in bedside reporting, however this is what we do.

We give the full report at the desk and then go to the bedside. At the bedside we introduce the incoming nurse and say good-bye. At this time I may show the nurse their Stage I sacral sore, or do a quick neuro assessment if they are a neuro patient just to make sure nothing differed from my assessments. This works great if both nurses understand that bedside report is not meant to be "let me do my head to toe with you". That has happened a few times and I simply say I'm not here for that, I have given you report.