Standardizing the Bedside Report to Promote Nurse Accountability and Work Effectiveness

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Bedside reporting is a communication strategy used during shift changes.
• This study focused on nurses' perspectives on accountability, empowerment, work effectiveness, satisfaction, and communication.
• An educational intervention aimed to improve bedside handoff reporting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an educational learning activity on bedside handoff reporting.
• To examine the effects on nurse accountability and work effectiveness.
• To assess nurses' perspectives on empowerment, satisfaction, and communication.

Main Methods:

• A pre-post educational intervention design was used.
• Validated questionnaires (Specht and Ramler Accountability Index, Conditions for Workplace Effectiveness Questionnaire-II) were administered.
• 184 registered nurses (RNs) participated, with 73 completing both pre and post-tests.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in nurse empowerment, work effectiveness, communication, and job satisfaction post-intervention.
• No statistically significant difference was found in accountability.
• The participant sample was ethnically diverse, with a majority identifying as Latina.

Conclusions:

• Implementing bedside reporting in medical-surgical units can enhance nurse satisfaction and accountability.
• Bedside reporting is associated with positive patient care outcomes.
• Further interprofessional implementation of bedside reporting is suggested.