Change of shift report

BarbPick · Feb 4, 2004

It sounds like nurses just might get off duty on time. No as long as all papers are shreaded in the nursing unit. All hospitals around here have shreaders in the nursing stations.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2004

I find the written reports to be more accurate and organized than a verbal nurse to nurse. I've never giving bedside reports though, some things you need to discuss in private. If it's done outside the room then the patients going to wonder why you're whispering. If there are two patients in the room, I would think you'd have to be extra quiet for privacy.

I've always like the idea of both nurses doing a walking round after a report. That way you can change shifts, and there are no surprises.

IloveSnoopy · Feb 4, 2004

Hi,

Sounds like a great idea to me!!! Although.....I know a few of our oldie but goodie nurses would be out the door in a second. It would take them the entire shift to type the damn report...LOL. Needless to say...they are quite computer shy. We have one nurse that still has others type out her D/C instructions for her because she can't figure it out....we've had the program for over 10 years now...LOL. Personally..I think it's a neato idea....I'd be totally up for it.

Snoop'

Rapheal · Feb 5, 2004

I agree that I like a walking round. No need to invade someone's privacy if you keep your voice down or you can shut the door. Also helps jog your memory if you forget something.

ashemson · Feb 5, 2004

Well, I am going to school to be a nurse, but right now working as a unit secretary at a hospital. The nurses where I work give report that way. We have a computer system that generates what we call the Kardex. Every lab, specimen to be collected, pt history, allergies, surgeries, etc. get onto the kardex from the order put into the computer. So at shift end, we print the Kardex's for each patient, then the nurse gives report outside the pt door, where the pt chart is also kept, at a locked wall desk. It actually works out really well!

NeuroICURN · Feb 5, 2004

Now, what I hated was at the hospital where I did my clinicals, they have a tape-recorded report.....so, gawd forbid you had to ask a question, then there was noone to ask! THAT SUCKS!

At the current hospital where I work, we give a face to face report and we do it wherever we can find a spot! LOL It's an open unit, so sometimes it's at the desk, sometimes it's at either of your two bedsides. We also use the Kardexes for things like lab lists, special orders, etc.....although truth be told, our RNs in our unit usually give such good, detailed reports, that I don't look at the Kardex for anything except to see what labs need drawn. Also, if you check your chart well, I see it as it was ordered.

Take care everyone!

:kiss

pghfoxfan · Feb 5, 2004

I think that the part of the report should be a visual inspection of the patient and room...peer pressure! The nurse leaving will probably leave the patient and the room looking a bit more tidy. I can't stand a disheveled patient, a full foley bag, crap thrown all over the floor etc.

We gave report at the patients bedside. I like this because, the patient was not left unattended for 15-30 minutes.

awrn · Feb 5, 2004

What type of units are using this method for change of shift report? I work on a 29 bed Med/Surg unit, and we havebeen trying to give report as "walking rounds", but we are running into a little trouble. I would like to hear more on the process from someone that has "mastered" the art of "walking rounds".

Thanks for the help.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2004

We use a printed unit census sheet. We do a "group" report where a brief summary of all of the patients is given. Then we get individual report at the bedside (this is a critical care unit so usually we only have 1-2 patients, three at most). Our unit is closed during shift change both morning and night--open the rest of the time if the family calls back. If the family is allowed to stay in the room due to extenuating circumstances then we just close the door (all the doors are glass so we can still see in). I like the form of report, it seems to work for unit. The group report is 15 minutes or so and then indivudual report is usually 3-5 (longer if patinet has been really unstable or had a lot done during the day)

pwp1289 · Feb 5, 2004

we used to do walking rounds but with all the privacy stuff we have changed to report in the staff room--2 shifts overlap so as soon as we get to work we make our rounds and then get verbal report--eves to nights have no overlap so report is taped (which i don't like)

heart queen · Feb 5, 2004

We take 2-4 patients and give a verbal at the nurses station at 7am, the breakroom at 7pm (families around). If the patient has drains, incisions, swans, then a quick eyeballing. You catch so much this way. But again, the pt. load is small.