Emergency Room Nurses’ Views on Bedside Shift Reporting

Crystal L Foster,Deborah R Gillum,Samuel P Abraham

doi:10.20849/ijsn.v4i4.677

Abstract

Bedside shift reporting is a form of communication used by nurses to communicate with each other regarding the patient plan of care. Although bedside shift reporting is required by The Joint Commission and is a required hospital policy, there are inconsistencies in the emergency room nurses performing the task. The purpose of this study was to describe emergency room nurses’ views on bedside shift reporting. A qualitative research study was conducted using a semi-structured interview process. Colaizzi’s data collection and analysis strategy were used to determine emerging themes. Peplau’s interpersonal relations and Benner’s novice to expert theories were used to help guide this study. Fifteen emergency room nurses were interviewed, and seven themes emerged from the data collected. Three themes, nurse accountability, nurse introduction, and patient involvement were identified as benefits of bedside shift reporting. Four themes, bedside shift report not done, emergency room situations, emergency room environment, and time factors were identified as challenges of bedside shift reporting. The study helped to determine the need for additional educational opportunities for the emergency room nurses, emergency department, and the organization to increase the consistency of the reporting process.

Highlights

Nursing shift report is a long-time practice of communication
The purpose of this study was to describe emergency room (ER) nurses‟ views on bedside shift reporting (BSR)
The sharing of patient information and transferring of patient care from one Registered Nurse (RN) to another is an essential component of communication within the healthcare system

Summary

Introduction

Nursing shift report is a long-time practice of communication. Shift report among nurses has been defined as “a system of nurse-to-nurse communication between shift changes intended to transfer essential information for safe, holistic care of the patient” (Caruso, 2007, p. 17). The sharing of patient information and transferring of patient care from one Registered Nurse (RN) to another is an essential component of communication within the healthcare system. Called handoffs or handovers, this method of communication refers to the transfer of responsibility and accountability for patient care from one or more clinicians during their hospital stay (Jeffs et al, 2013). Patients trust those involved in the process are providing each other with the necessary information to achieve the best patient outcome. Effective communication between nurses during shift report is essential for patient safety and the assurance of the delivery of quality patient care. TJC estimated 80% of serious medical errors involve miscommunication between caregivers during the transfer of patient care (Mardis et al, 2016). Barry (2014)

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