Incorporating bedside reporting into change-of-shift report

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Communication
• Patient Safety
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Communication failures during nursing shift reports are a primary cause of sentinel events in the U.S.
• Inadequate information exchange during change-of-shift reports compromises patient safety.
• Patient engagement in care decisions is increasingly recognized as crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of bedside change-of-shift reporting in a stroke rehabilitation unit.
• To address the dual goals of improving communication during handoffs and increasing patient involvement in care.
• To provide a model for other healthcare settings seeking to enhance patient safety and engagement.

Main Methods:

• A stroke rehabilitation unit adopted a structured bedside change-of-shift reporting process.
• Nursing staff conducted patient-centered handoffs at the patient's bedside.
• The process was designed to ensure all essential information was communicated effectively to both staff and patients.

Main Results:

• The implementation aimed to reduce communication errors and enhance the quality of information transfer.
• Patient participation in shift reports was facilitated, promoting shared decision-making.
• The initiative sought to improve overall patient satisfaction and understanding of their care plan.

Conclusions:

• Bedside change-of-shift reporting can effectively improve communication and patient safety.
• Integrating patients into the reporting process enhances their involvement in care.
• This model offers a practical approach for healthcare units to optimize shift handoffs and patient engagement.