Bedside Nurse Shift Report and Patient Satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose: The objective was to determine whether implementing bedside shift reports lead to greater patient satisfaction with care when compared to traditional shift change reports at the nurses station.

Background: Nurses often provide report to the oncoming shift in rooms away from the patients and there is very little to no patient or family involvement. The Joint Commission’s 2009 and 2010 National Patient Safety Goals included a requirement to encourage patients to be involved actively in their care and to implement a standardized handoff communication process when a change of care providers occurs.

Project: Studies and research on this topic were located through CINHAL. The articles were searched for using these terms: bedside reporting and shift reporting. Results were limited to the last 5 to 10 years. A selection of 18 pieces of literature that included pilot studies was selected. References in articles were also used to locate and select additional literature. Research literature ranged from pediatrics, med surg units, telemetry/cardiology units, mother/baby units and birthing centers.

Conclusion: Bedside shift reports leads to higher patient, nurse and provider satisfaction ratings. It also promotes patient safety and patients who participate in bedside shift reporting are more likely to be compliant in their treatment plans and to be more satisfied with their care and litigate less often.