Change of shift report

The hospital that I work in we give verbal report, most of us go through our patient rooms and eyeball the patients before report. A quick they are breathing, lines in, lines out, dsg check look. I have worked where report was taped, and I have done walking rounds. I don't like taped because I don't have the oppurtunity to ask questions easily, walking rounds takes quite a while in my opinion, even though we have incorporated the concept into our routine. Also, with taping, taking report from nurse's with heavy accents is difficult, it is easier to understand them face to face.

Hi,

On the floor I usually work on, OB, we do not use taped report. However, I have to float to all areas in the hospital and they do taped report. I do not care for it. The division of patients may be different on the next shift and sometimes you have to get report off of two or three different machines. I find this to be very time comsuming. I would prefer to get it from the nurse and be able to ask questions if needed.

Just my opinion but I have a problem with walking rounds. When you go into a pts room and talk about them their neighbor also hears this personal information, unless you have a floor with all privates then its a breach of confidentiality.

Taped report I loved as long as a good report guide line is made and used by staff. So that way all the nurses on the same page and giving useful info.

Face to face is good for Q's, but if everyone was on the same page and knew what to gove gtheir would be little need to ask alot of Q's.

Call Me:

GIVE ME THE FACTS, AND LET ME USE MY CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS.

In our hospital we give a face to face report using a kardex. The kardex has the dr's orders, and all pertinent info, so nothing important gets left out. This system makes report easy to give and efficient, but it only works if the charge nurse keeps the kardexes up to date during the shift. There is no way i could tolerate a taped report, it would drive me crazy if i couldnt ask any questions. I think walking rounds would just take too long. We usually spend 30 to 45 minutes to give report on 18 patients.

I work in a 7-bed ICU. At the change of shift we all get a brief synopsis on all the patients and then we get face to face reports with the previous shift. Works great. Taping report lends itself to long, drawn-out reports, overtime, and poor listening.

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The method that we found to be most successful on our inpatient geri psych unit is that each nurse carries the kardexes for her patients and updates it throughout her shift & at the end of day, tapes report using an outline to hit most important info- keeping in mind most of our patients were not only mentally ill but had numerous medical illnesses/issues which exacerbated their combative, agitated or depressive symptoms. Walking rounds breached confidentiality and upset patients for various reasons, not to mention the guests or family on the unit... When the oncoming shift was done with report and came to unit the prior shift was available for about five minutes to answer questions or update as needed. Generally, we were able to tape/listen about all 22 complicated patients and have the five minutes for questions within 30 minutes and get the next shift started on time, keeping in mind that some info was on the kardex that each nurse carries and can refer to, which helps decrease the amount of info given verbally. e found that each unit must find the method We found that each unit must find what works for their individuals and type of patient. Good Luck!

I work on a 35 bed med/surg unit. our nursing unit and assignements are divided into two teams. Each team of off-shift nurses tape their reports for the on-coming shift. Team one tapes in our exam room and Team two tapes in our Nurses'lounge. When we gave verbal reports, report could take up to 1 hour and we found that patient care was interrupted. By taping, the night shift remains on the floor to answer lights and pass meds ect. No one leaves until report is finished so that questions can be answered or updates can be given. Our Team leader listens to both reports. Report now takes approx. 15 minutes (30 minutes tops) We have found this to be more time efficient and patient care is more consistent.

we use one tape player for the whole team. When the oncoming nurses have heard the report they are free to ask the off-going nurses any questions or get updates. Usually this is not required. Having the Kardex in front of you while taping is a help. We found that face to face took too long as people tended to make editorial comments, etc.

Originally posted by angel333:

Hi;

I am looking for input on how other hospitals conduct a change of shift report. We currently tape report for the next shift. We are considering going to a walking round or verbal report. What are you doing? What works for you? Any draw backs? Any ideas? Thanks.

Cheers.

CNL

We give a written reportand give a oral repot off of it. It helps to write everything ppertinent dow in another color ik for yor shift and report is read and left for referrence. I personally have my own personal notebook that I use for my own use. I take it home w/me. I have every notebook for the past 9 yrs.

Hi,

I currently work in a 18bed ICU, we give oral reports which work very well, I think that walking rounds are also a good idea especially if you follow certain nurses known to slack off.

I prefer face to face they are more confidential. And you have the opportunity to ask questions on the spot. I have been where they tape report with the stipulation that a face to face meeting occures after listing to the tape. This works. Occasionally we have a particular agency nurse who gives poor report and being able to ask is important. It is true a good report needs no questions but sometimes the report is les than perfect. In a face to face I can tell the off going that I already have the basic demographics about a patient and this will shorten time it takes. We manage to do report and count in the 30 minute overlap that is built into the shift.

Rarely does it go over that. Taped report would encourage some nurses to take off before all questions are asked. Also, if something is needed by patient during report (we've had codes and other emergencies ATT) there are more nurses to respond. The off going nurse is there which prooves important since she has been with the patient all shift and the on comming is there so she will know what is up and have a smoother transition when an emergency occures.