This document discusses the benefits of bedside shift reporting in nursing. It outlines how bedside reporting encourages teamwork, accountability, and better preparation for nurses. Research shows that poor communication contributes to many medical errors. Bedside reporting allows the oncoming and offgoing nurses to conduct shift handoff at the patient's bedside, which reassures patients and helps identify issues sooner. The document provides guidance on how to properly conduct bedside reporting, including introducing staff, explaining the process, checking patient ID bands, and discussing plans of care with the patient. Bedside reporting is shown to decrease call lights, falls, and errors while improving staff satisfaction. Concerns about privacy are addressed by planning how to discreetly discuss sensitive topics

1. Bedside Reporting
Shiny Edward
Aspen University
DNP 800
Dr. Carrie Lemke
July 4, 2022

2. Let’s handoff our patients with painstaking care
Making the transfer of CARE between shifts seamless
and patient centered

3. Encourages teamwork between shifts
Accountability is shared by both shifts
Oncoming staff visualizes patient immediately
and prioritizes care for the shift
Reassures the patient the staff works as a team and that everyone
knows the plan of care
Nurses and care team can better delegate
care activities
Nurses are more prepared to answer
physician questions
Benefits of Bedside Shift Report
Changes perception of caregivers to that of
being professional and organized
Helps identify items needing attention
sooner than later
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4. Research Says
• 70% of all sentinel events are the
result of poor communication
• 50% of nurses feel that the biggest
concern during shift report is
missing information
• 42% of nurses feel that
distractions cause
miscommunications during report
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5. Bedside Report … a few things
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Bedside report
consists of
things normally
given in handoff
report.
Hypersensitive
information can
be shared before
entering or upon
leaving the room.
Most report
information can
and should be given
at the bedside

6. A Conduct AIDET. Acknowledge the patient by name when entering the room.
I The off going nurse reintroduces him/herself then introduces and MANAGES UP the
oncoming nurse
D The off going nurse gives a timeframe for how long report should take (duration).
E The off going nurse explains what is taking place, to “keep you informed about your
care”, or to “include you in all decisions regarding your care and treatments”.
Prior to any confidential medical information being exchanged, if guests are present in the room
ask them to move temporarily to the waiting area during report time (invite them to return in
approximately 10 minutes).*
*The patient is welcome to then ask any guest to remain in the room to listen and participate in
report.
T Always end by thanking the patient and guests, asking if there is anything else we can
do for them while we’re in the room.
Give a timeframe for when you anticipate returning.
Bedside Report … How
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7. Safety:
• Check name and allergy armbands, using key words “for your safety”
• Stand on each side of the bed across from each other if possible
• Use soft voice, audible enough for the patient to hear and
understand clearly but not loud enough for others to overhear
unnecessarily
• Give handoff report as usual: SBAR format, history, assessment,
updates from the shift, applicable test results,
medication schedule, and nursing orders
• Perform 2‐person visual checks: incisions, dressings,
tubes, equipment, skin, etc.
• Use applicable EHR, kardex and computer, for handoff
reporting verification of orders
Bedside Report … How
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8. Informed:
• Invite patient into the conversation, encourage patient to express concerns
• Discuss with patient the plans for the day, and write on the white board
• Discuss new medications and side effects
• Address pain, and discuss treatment plan with patient,
include options and goals, and write on the white board
• Discuss discharge planning needs as appropriate
Bedside Report … How
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9. Return on Investment
Bedside Shift Report
• Decrease call light usage
• Reduce patient falls during shift
change
• Reduces medication errors / unit
acquired HAPU
• Increase staff nurse satisfaction
• Reduce nurse overtime
• Less time spent in shift report
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10. Confidentiality “We protect the privacy of our patients.”
– Our concern for HIPAA should not prevent us from forming a partnership with the
patient and family
– Is a constant concern in an open environment, not just during report and rounds
Environment
– Should not be a deterrent to safe, patient and family- centered care
– Personal and private information is shared throughout the day
New information / sensitive topics
– Plan ahead … share confidentially with each other away from the patient, before or
after bedside report
I don’t know how to do this – or – uneasiness when talking in front of patients
– This is a culture change for us, and a new practice takes time to get more
comfortable doing it
– It will get easier over time, and will become the norm for handoff communication
Bedside Report …Concerns and
Challenges
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