Bedside Shift Reporting
Bedside Shift Reporting
Jennifer J. Fay
Indiana State University
Bedside Shift Reporting In every profession there are changes that propel how tasks are done; nursing is no stranger to this. One of the biggest changes that have come into nursing’s daily events is how report hand-offs are being done. Gone are the days of taped report that each off going nurse must tape about each patient and the oncoming nurse must listen to. Nurses are now being encouraged to move their report to the bedside, in front of the patient (Trossman, 2007). It is very important to know how this can affect the patient and even the nurse’s schedule. With every change, there are positives and negatives that can finalize the decision to keep or forego the change. Although change is hard when confronted with a new way doing something we are accustomed to it is important to know how it will change the flow of the floor. It is also important to have a plan. In changing end of shift report styles, there has to consistency throughout all nursing staff. As in Lefton’s (2007) article on change, she states that nurses and nurse managers need to have a plan but also be flexible in implementing it. She also states that with a large change is it important “to be proactive, highly involved, and have an open door policy” (Lefton, 14) with any problems that may arise. On every floor, there may be resistance to any change and difficulties in adapting to it. Just like in life, nurses must be patient and know that it in the long run it may be better for the patient and continue to be a best practice for care. Patients who make frequent visits to the hospital may also notice the change with bedside reporting. Nurses may help put the patient at ease by showing cohesiveness between the off going and the on coming nursing staff. Patients are also able to take part in their own care by asking questions and knowing what their plan of care is during their time in the hospital. After all, being
Jennifer J. Fay
Indiana State University
Bedside Shift Reporting In every profession there are changes that propel how tasks are done; nursing is no stranger to this. One of the biggest changes that have come into nursing’s daily events is how report hand-offs are being done. Gone are the days of taped report that each off going nurse must tape about each patient and the oncoming nurse must listen to. Nurses are now being encouraged to move their report to the bedside, in front of the patient (Trossman, 2007). It is very important to know how this can affect the patient and even the nurse’s schedule. With every change, there are positives and negatives that can finalize the decision to keep or forego the change. Although change is hard when confronted with a new way doing something we are accustomed to it is important to know how it will change the flow of the floor. It is also important to have a plan. In changing end of shift report styles, there has to consistency throughout all nursing staff. As in Lefton’s (2007) article on change, she states that nurses and nurse managers need to have a plan but also be flexible in implementing it. She also states that with a large change is it important “to be proactive, highly involved, and have an open door policy” (Lefton, 14) with any problems that may arise. On every floor, there may be resistance to any change and difficulties in adapting to it. Just like in life, nurses must be patient and know that it in the long run it may be better for the patient and continue to be a best practice for care. Patients who make frequent visits to the hospital may also notice the change with bedside reporting. Nurses may help put the patient at ease by showing cohesiveness between the off going and the on coming nursing staff. Patients are also able to take part in their own care by asking questions and knowing what their plan of care is during their time in the hospital. After all, being
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