Bedside Shift Report
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Abstract: Bedside Shift Report in Nursing
Background: Shift report occurs between all nurses as they switch from day shift to night shift and any other shifts in between. It is utilized to pass important information along so the next nurse can provide safe and proper care of the patient. Research shows many medication and hospital errors result from lack of communication and report is the beginning of communication. Research was done using both online scholarly articles as well as visual data collected by being physically on the unit. Five scholarly articles were chosen along with a website article to support the inquiry of the bedside shift report compared to reports done elsewhere. An observational survey was conducted and observed 30 handoffs from nurse to nurse to see where the report was given. 21 of the 30 were done at the bedside. 70% of the time on this unit, a report is given at the bedside, meaning 30% of the time it is not done at the bedside where it should be conducted.
Objective: The objective is to improve patient communication and reduce medical errors by increasing communication with bedside handoff.
Method: An anonymous survey was given to the nurses to ask if they always give reports at the bedside, and if not why and what obstacles were preventing them from doing so. With the responses, it took a week to discuss with the charge nurses, unit managers, and floor director the results from the survey and how to fix the obstacles. Educational programs occured for a month after the meeting with directors that all unit nurses had to attend.
Results: Observations began to see if the unit was following the recent education and meeting the standards of 100% of the time giving reports at the bedside that lasted a week. Six months later, observations occurred again to ensure the nurses are still following the standards and prevent them from forgetting the education given. A refresher course is given as a continuing education after six months. The results after the education course improved to 90% of the nurses giving reports at the bedside. The 10% were addressed and given additional education and reassessed a week after completing the course.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
Nursing
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Christie Emerson
Additional Faculty
Jan Turner, Nursing, Jguthas@kennesaw.edu
Bedside Shift Report
Abstract: Bedside Shift Report in Nursing
Background: Shift report occurs between all nurses as they switch from day shift to night shift and any other shifts in between. It is utilized to pass important information along so the next nurse can provide safe and proper care of the patient. Research shows many medication and hospital errors result from lack of communication and report is the beginning of communication. Research was done using both online scholarly articles as well as visual data collected by being physically on the unit. Five scholarly articles were chosen along with a website article to support the inquiry of the bedside shift report compared to reports done elsewhere. An observational survey was conducted and observed 30 handoffs from nurse to nurse to see where the report was given. 21 of the 30 were done at the bedside. 70% of the time on this unit, a report is given at the bedside, meaning 30% of the time it is not done at the bedside where it should be conducted.
Objective: The objective is to improve patient communication and reduce medical errors by increasing communication with bedside handoff.
Method: An anonymous survey was given to the nurses to ask if they always give reports at the bedside, and if not why and what obstacles were preventing them from doing so. With the responses, it took a week to discuss with the charge nurses, unit managers, and floor director the results from the survey and how to fix the obstacles. Educational programs occured for a month after the meeting with directors that all unit nurses had to attend.
Results: Observations began to see if the unit was following the recent education and meeting the standards of 100% of the time giving reports at the bedside that lasted a week. Six months later, observations occurred again to ensure the nurses are still following the standards and prevent them from forgetting the education given. A refresher course is given as a continuing education after six months. The results after the education course improved to 90% of the nurses giving reports at the bedside. The 10% were addressed and given additional education and reassessed a week after completing the course.