Bedside report involves the off-going nurse handing off report to the on-coming nurse at the patient's bedside. Research shows this provides safer patient care by improving identification accuracy and communication among caregivers while also increasing patient satisfaction and involvement in their own care. Bedside report meets three National Patient Safety Goals. Advantages include building teamwork, ownership, brief assessments, and allowing patient involvement and questions. Obstacles can be overcome through techniques like role playing and using SBAR(T) communication structure.

1. Changing to the Bedside
for Report
BY JENNIFER PEREZ, RN, BSN

2. What is Bedside Reporting?
 When the off-going nurse hands off report to the on-
coming nurse at the patient’s bedside.

3. Why change to the bedside for hand off
report?

4. Can you think of a reason?
 Research
 Provides safer care for patients.
 Increases patient satisfaction.
 More patient centered than the traditional hand off
report.
 Meets three National Patient Safety Goals(NPSG).

5. Joint Commission’s NPSG’s
1. Improve the accuracy of patient identification.
2. Improve the effectiveness of communication
among caregivers.
3. Encourage patient’s active involvement in their
own care.

6. Advantages of Bedside Report
 Builds teamwork
 Ownership and accountability
 Brief assessment/Environmental check
 Allows one to view other’s work
 Patient involvement

7. Advantages for Patients
 Able to voice concerns and ask questions.
 Plan interventions and set goals with their
caregivers.
 Able to meet caregiver at the beginning of each shift.

8. Obstacles of Beside Report
 Patient’s status and condition
 High acuity
 Confidentiality
 Time management
 Effective communication

9. How can we overcome the obstacles of
bedside report?

10. Overcoming Obstacles
 Patient’s role and rights during report
 Fair patient load
 Role play
 Trial run
 Shared techniques

11. Use of SBAR(T)
1. Situation:
Off-going nurse – say goodbye to patient.
On-coming nurse – introduction with AIDET.
2. Background:
Off-going nurse – brief update of patient’s plan
of care.
Oncoming nurse – answer patient’s questions.

12. SBAR(T)
3. Assessment:
Off-going nurse – explain and inform.
On-coming nurse – quick physical and
environmental assessment.
4. Recommendation:
Off-going nurse – review the plan of care.
On-coming nurse – validate the plan of care and
ask questions.

13. SBAR(T)
5. Thank the Patient:
Off-going and On-coming nurse – before
leaving the room ask the patient questions.
Use Closing Key Words:
“ Ms. X will take good care of you.”
“Is there anything you need right now?”

14. References
Baker, S. (2010). Bedside shift report improves
patient safety and nurse accountability. JEN:
Journal of Emergency Nursing, 36(4), 355-358.
Caruso, E. (2007). The Evolution of nurse-to-nurse
bedside report on a medical-surgical cardiology
unit. MEDSURG Nursing, 16(1), 17-22.
McGovern, W. , & Rodgers, J. (1986). Change theory. The
American Journal of Nursing, 86(5), 566-567.
Trossman, S. (2009). Shifting to the bedside for
report. American Nurse, 41(2), 7.