Post on 23-Jul-2019
Running head: BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 1
Evidenced Based Nursing: Examining the Rising Trend of Bedside Patient Reporting
Kristine Cargill, Cheryl Klinkner, Cheryl Nienaber and Bailey Sundberg
Ferris State University
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 2
Abstract
Various types of nurse shift change reporting exist; however, this paper examines the increasing
interest of the bedside reporting method in the acute care setting. The authors begin by searching
two popular scholar databases: PubMed, CINHAL and include their findings from the databases.
The authors then select four substantial studies to critically appraise. The authors’ purpose is to
determine whether or not, enough research and knowledge exists to support that bedside
reporting increases effective communication while producing: better patient outcomes, increased
patient satisfaction, and nurse job satisfaction.
Keywords: bedside handover, change of shift nurse report, patient satisfaction, nurse job
satisfaction, patient outcomes.
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 3
Evidenced Based Nursing: Examining the Rising Trend of Bedside Patient Reporting
Missing home plate after hitting a home run can cause a team to lose the game, but
miscommunication during end of shift report can cause one to lose their life. It has been
repeatedly demonstrated that during change of shift vital patient information is deficient.
According Alvarado et al. (2006), the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations [JCAHO] found in 2003 that “almost 70% of all sentinel events are caused by
breakdown in communication” (Abstract, para. 1). The nursing profession can control where and
how the communication of patient information takes place: whether verbally on the unit or in the
patient's room, audio taped, written, or through electronic forms (Friesen, White, & Byers, 2008,
Ch. 34: p. 6-7). Nurses have the duty to provide a safe environment to the patients entrusted to
their care: avoiding adverse outcomes, medication errors, and maintaining or increasing patient
satisfaction. This begins with effective team communication. In fact number two of the JCAHO
National Patient Safety Goals (2008) states to, “improve the effectiveness of communication
among caregivers” (Revere & Eldridge, 2008, p.1). If the current level of communication during
change of shift reports are not effective what could be an alternative method for reporting?
The group began by taking inventory of their clinical experiences, and the forms of which
they have completed report in the past. It was found that the commonality among the group
members was; all authors had acute care experience, and that none had participated in bedside
reporting in the past. By searching the PubMed and CINAHL databases using the keywords
listed in the abstract of this paper, approximately 150 scholarly publications were returned. The
year of publications ranged from 1997 to current, showing that this topic has been of interest in
the past. The authors limited the search results by year of publication within last five years, to
include only studies with nurses as part of the research team. Filtering provided the authors with
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 4
50 publications. After review of results, four relevant studies were selected by the authors, each
being critically appraised to determine whether or not enough research exists, to support that
bedside reporting increases effective communication and produces: better patient outcomes,
increased patient satisfaction, and increased nurse job satisfaction in the acute care setting.
Article One
Descriptive Summary
The article titled, Bringing Change-of-Shift Report to the Bedside (Griffin, 2010),
focused on the purpose of change-of-shift report, common practices of the report, and how
changing to bedside report can increase patient safety and satisfaction. As previously discussed
change-of-shift report can be completed in numerous methods, usually near the nurses’ station or
another private location. This allows for interruptions or conversations of another subject to
occur. It is important to focus on the patient and their current plan of care [POC] at change of
shift. By bringing report to the bedside where patients and families can be involved with the
current POC, allows for an uninterrupted and on-subject transfer of patient information, and is a
main component of patient-and-family centered care.
Critical Appraisal
Problem and purpose statement.
The problem statement is not clear, yet there is obvious information on why a change in
method of nurse-to-nurse report is needed. According to Griffin (2010), “the Institute for Health
care Improvement collaborated with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and created an
initiative titled, Transforming Care at the Bedside, with the aim to improve patient safety, which
included bringing report to the bedside” (p. 349). By bringing the report to the bedside it
decreases the possibility of miscommunication between nurses, medical staff, and patients
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 5
regarding the current POC. Further Griffin (2010) points out that, “report is the time when one
nurse transfers accountability and responsibility of patients to another nurse”, with the off going
nurse giving a complete summary of the patients POC to the oncoming nurse (p. 348). Griffin
(2010) clarifies that “the communication during this process is intended to ensure the continuity
of care giving and patient safety” (p. 348). Two of the National Patient Safety Goals set by the
JCAHO can be met through bedside reporting. First, JCAHO encouraged patient involvement in
care, serving as a patient safety strategy. Secondly, it was also recommended that a patient
selected individual should be designated as an advocate when the patient is unable to make
informed decisions independently (Griffin, 2010, p. 349).
Review of Literature.
This article is not a research study but a review of existing literature regarding the
importance of bringing change-of-shift report to the bedside. The article used up to date, relevant
sources to review. This article was published in 2010 making any sources between 2003 and
2010 current thus increasing relevance, which applies to 13 of the 16 sources cited. The author
did not complete a critical analysis on all of the sources listed; rather used JCAHO’s National
Patient Safety Goals to support the author’s favorable position of bringing report to the bedside.
The author used the core concepts published by the Institute for Patient and Family Centered
Care [IPFCC] for implementing bedside report. Both JCAHO and the IPFCC are recognized
organizations that provide up-to-date information in improving patient safety and satisfaction.
By focusing on safety issues and involving family, the literature made clear the importance of
transforming nurse to nurse report from behind the scenes to directly at the bedside.
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 6
Framework.
The implicit framework for this study is linked to previous research to improve patient
safety, and encourage patient and family participation in the patient’s POC. Having change-of-
shift report at the bedside provides the patient and family members an opportunity to ask
questions. It also gives the off going nurse a chance to say good-bye and the oncoming nurse
can quickly greet her patients within the first few minutes of shift change. Griffin (2010) claims
that using the four concepts of patient and family centered care provided by the IPFCC, “with the
primary goal of improving the experience of care through mutually beneficial partnerships” can
be met through bedside reporting (p. 349).
Four core concepts.
Respect and dignity.
Griffin (2010) says the first core concept of “respect and dignity requires that nurses
honor patient and family perspectives and choices” (Griffin, 2010, p. 349). This means to
respect the patients’ beliefs, cultures, thoughts and ideas regarding their medical care. Bedside
report gives nurses the opportunity to meet the patients and their families, beginning clear
dialogue related to each individual’s uniqueness ensuring mutually agreed upon personalized
care (p. 349).
Information sharing.
Griffin (2010) defines information sharing as being “complete and unbiased information
shared with patients and families so they are able to participate in the care and decision making”
(p. 349). It is important that the nurse works with the patients and families to make sure that new
information is accompanied with education, resulting in verbalized understanding obtained by
the nurses to ensure that all parties can make informed decisions if needed.
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 7
Participation.
The third concept of participation Griffin (2010) states that, “in patient-and family-
centered care, patients and families are encouraged and supported to participate in care and
decision making at the level they choose” (p. 349). It is important to encourage all patients to
participate in report since it can be a valuable process in their care, but also to practice their right
in determining who the patient wants also to be involved. The amount of outside participation
can vary depending on the patient’s cultures, condition, or treatments from that day.
Collaboration.
Finally the fourth concept Griffin (2010) describes is collaboration. This is the time
nurses, families and patients work together to achieve the same goal, increase patient satisfaction
and safety through bed-side report. According to Griffin (2010) it all, “begins in the policy and
program development phase, utilizing previous families and patients experience to develop a
successful report process” (p. 350). Nurses come together and give comments and suggestions to
improve the report process and create a handoff tool to make bedside report a success. This is
where families and patients can give suggestions contributing to bedside report, helping nurses
develop a solid practice which improves patient safety and increases patient satisfaction. Griffin
(2010) states that, “experienced patients and families can offer advice, support, and education for
staff or other patients and families about the report process” (p. 350). Nurses tend to focus on
the technical aspect of care giving and families focus on the non-technical portion, which are
both important (Griffin, 2010). Both nurses and patients along with their families have valuable
input during the collaboration phase. Making sure all aspects of the patients care is covered.
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 8
Results.
Challenges.
The review of literature [ROL] regarding bedside reporting does indicate some
challenges. One such challenge is reluctance of nurses to break tradition or current practices
because of their comfort level. Bedside reporting also brings the challenge of maintaining
patient privacy. What happens if patients are in semi-private rooms, then what type of
information should be shared at the bedside? Confidentiality is a number one priority in the
health care industry, and there could be a change in the patient condition like new test results that
needs to be discussed. The nurse must pass this vital information to the oncoming nurse, but
how, or do nurses share this information at the bedside while protecting confidentiality? There is
also a concern of additional parties present when bedside report should begin, and perhaps that
patient does not feel comfortable asking the party to leave the room. As patient advocates, how
do we address this problem? Finally, nurses are concerned about time management. Will bedside
report take longer, resulting in delayed departure from the floor, or the oncoming nurse being put
behind schedule?
Griffin (2010) addresses these concerns by reminding the reader that “the goal is to
modify staff behavior so that patients and families can be included in the report process” (p.
350). Report could still consist of a brief huddle privately between the two nurses, before
heading to bedside report. Many of these concerns could be addressed by explaining to the
patient upon admission the process of bedside report works and clarifying with the patient whom
they would like involved. This would set boundaries immediately, alleviating any questions
about who can or cannot be present. As with any policy, a clear procedure should be
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 9
implemented addressing all of the above questions or scenarios, and how they can be handled in
a positive manner making bedside report a great experience.
Benefits.
Griffin (2010) states that one of the biggest benefits in giving bedside report is the
“patients are seen sooner in the shift and the nurse leaving can introduce the patient to the
oncoming nurse” (p. 351). By doing the bedside report, patients are seen as an individual with a
plan of care instead of just a diagnosis and treatment. This method also ensures that the patient,
family and staff all have the same POC in place while keeping all parties informed of the
patient’s current status. Bedside report is also an opportunity to educate the patient and family
about new diagnosis and treatments, while at the same time Griffin (2010) points out that “the
nurses are able to receive information from the patient and family as they provide an additional
resource for diagnosis and treatment” (p. 351). This method also provides a double check
moment between the nurses to make sure all medications, drips and treatment provided were
done correctly and documented. Bedside report is a benefit not just for nurses but also for the
patient and family involved.
Implementing.
Griffin (2010) makes clear that, as “with all new equipment and processes, nurses must
be engaged in the development, and provided with education” (Griffin, 2010, p. 352). A tool
should be developed in which the basis of bedside report needs to follow. It is important to focus
on communication skills and using terms patients and families will understand, avoiding medical
jargon when possible and providing explanations when it is not. Resources need to be available
to the staff on how to approach and carry out bedside report, as well as an ongoing evaluation of
the process including possible alternatives for process improvement (Griffin, 2010, p. 352).
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 10
Patients and families also need to have the chance to give feedback regarding their thoughts and
feelings about bedside report., as Griffin (2010) points out that “patients and families are experts
in the experience of care and can be catalyst for practice improvements” (p. 352).
Conclusion.
In conclusion, it is important to involve patients and families in the plan of care. Bedside
report offers the opportunity for patients to ask questions, receive feedback, and allows for the
nurse to assess further patient educational needs. It clarifies for the nurse the individual coming
into their care, and clarifies for the patient their caregiver. It allows for both nurses to complete a
double check between shifts to make sure the patient is being provided a safe environment. The
open discussion concept permits patients and families to feel they are a part of the team, thus
improving patient satisfaction.
Article Two
Descriptive Summary
The article, Standardization of Change-of-Shift Report was written by three registered
nurses, combining for one doctoral, a master’s and a bachelor’s degree. The focus was on
creating a standardized shift report to promote time efficiency and quality of transferred patient
information (Athwal, Fields, & Wagnell, 2009, pg. 143). This study took place on a progressive
care unit [PCU] at a Magnet hospital located in San Diego County. The unit consisted of 34
beds and 55 licensed nurses (Athwal et al. 2009, pg. 143). In this article the author’s describes
the framework for the study and the results of the standardized shift report.
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 11
Critical Appraisal
Problem and Purpose Statement.
The study was limited as it was done only at one hospital on one unit, further, having 55
nurses made the sample size small. The problem statement was not clearly defined in this article.
The audience assumes the problem from the background section which details complaints from
nurses, patients, and physicians regarding the unit’s current method of shift report. The nurses’
complained that the current report was not structured, some lacked the ability to decipher the
important information to share, and the length of report often put nurses into (Athwal et al.,
2009, pg. 144). Unlike the problem statement, the purpose of Athwal, Fields, and Wagnell
(2009) study was, “to describe a bedside clinical nurse–led initiative to design a standardized
shift report that created a more time efficient process while improving the quality of information
reported” (p. 143). Information leading to the purpose statement gives the audience an
understanding of why the purpose of the study is important.
Review of Literature.
The review of literature described several different ways of handling shift report which
included written report and bedside reporting. For this study, the council decided to use a
combination of written report using a standardized sheet along with bedside reporting. The
review of literature was limited because it was one paragraph. The authors listed three specific
articles in the review of literature paragraph and only used a generalized statement about each
article (Athwal et al., 2009, pg. 144). The information regarding the articles lack description and
any appraisal. Athwal et al. (2009) stated that “the new shift report incorporated best practices
from the literature; however, the authors did not reference what best practices were found in the
research of literature (p. 144).
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 12
Framework.
The new shift report was developed from literature and staff suggestions, and consisted of
a combination of written patient information and a bedside introduction. At the beginning of the
shift, the nurse would review the written patient update and then briefly meet with the nurse to
clarify any questions regarding the written information (Athwal et al., 2009, pg. 144). Both
nurses would then proceed to the bedside to complete the report. The written shift report is a
standardized sheet that includes all pertinent patient information with a section at the bottom for
a nurse to write any patient updates. The standardized shift report sheet was introduced to the
reader in Figure 1 (pg 145). The report sheet allows for two shifts of use, and then a new sheet is
stapled to the top of the previous sheets. The new shift report was developed to save time,
increase patient satisfaction, and standardized the information that was reported between the
nurses (Athwal et al., 2009, pg. 144).
The authors referenced written protocols that were presented to staff during educational
in-services about the new procedure, but the authors do not include the protocol for the reader.
The guidelines may provide detailed information the audience would need to implement a
similar program at their facility or unit. It does not list what information was included, how
often the in-service was held, and if all nurses attended the same in-service. If all staff nurses did
not receive education on the new shift report process, this could create confusion and alter
results. The new process was reviewed after one month, and minor changes were made;
however, the authors did not describe the changes or the problems that lead to the changes
(Athwal et al., 2009, pg. 145).
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 13
Results.
According to Athwal et al. (2009), “the new shift report was evaluated on the amount of
time spent for shift report, overtime expenses related to shift report, call lights, staff satisfaction,
and patient falls” (p. 146). The time spent in report ranged from 30-60 minutes prior to bedside
reporting, this time decreased to 10-15 minutes with the new procedure (Athwal et al., 2009, pg.
146). In reference to the nurses’ complaints about overtime, the results indicated the unit saved
approximately $8,000 over two months in overtime pay because of the time effectiveness of
bedside report. Call light usage by patients, and unnecessary falls of patients, decreased with the
new report process, which the authors related this to the nurse being at the bedside sooner
(Athwal et al., 2009, pg 146). Nurses were not only satisfied with the decrease in overtime
contributed, but agreed that the new procedure provided them with more pertinent information
during report. Data regarding nurse and patient satisfaction were not adequately revealed to the
reader prior to the change in report method, further, the results from both parties after
implementation were taken through surveys or interviews with the nurse managers. The claims
made by the authors of increased staff and patient satisfaction could be bias based on the method
of obtaining the result information.
Conclusion.
The goal was met to standardize shift report. Nurses were satisfied with the new process
because they did not have to work overtime and the staff knew what information was expected to
be given in report. The conclusion statement was clear and stated the purpose was met. The
authors also mentioned benefits of the new process which were a decline in patient falls, call
light use during report, and financial savings (Athwal et al., 2009, pg. 146). Overall, this study
is weak. The sample size was too small and confined to one unit, leaving the audience to
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 14
question if this process will work on other units. The authors do provide sound outcome results
such as those mentioned above. Due to the positive results, it is suggested that this reporting
method be further studied and trialed on different units and implemented if successful outcomes
are achieved.
Article Three
Descriptive Summary
The article, Incorporating Bedside Reporting into Change-of-Shift Report (2010), written
by Dawn Laws BSN, RN, CRNN and Shelly Amato MSN, RN, CNS, CRRN provided a glimpse
into how one stroke rehabilitation center was able to make bedside reporting effective. Although
it is not stated directly, the assumption is that Metro Health Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio was
used for this study as both authors are on staff at that facility. The figures regarding the number
of nursing staff and the number of patients involved in the research was not provided. The study
addressed the staffs’ concerns over confidentially and time management, as well as discussed
how this particular group overcame the barriers encountered. Nursing staff agreed that bedside
reporting could increase safety, and promote teamwork and patient participation (Laws &
Amato, 2010, p.72).
Critical Appraisal
Problem and Purpose Statement.
Laws & Amato (2010) stated “communication failures during shift reports as a leading
cause of sentinel events in the United States” (p.70). Standardization of shift-to-shift reporting
was necessary to fulfill one of the “Joint Commission’s 2006 National Patient Safety Goals”
(Laws & Amato, 2010, p.71). This would involve changing the current system of tape
recordings to a standardized system that allowed for a more precise flow of information to be
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 15
exchanged. Patients in the facility sought ways to be part of the decision making process and
these needs were not fulfilled under the current system. Finally, the nursing staff and patients
both agreed that it was necessary to promote teamwork within the healthcare facility and the
home environment.
The unit in this study did not have a standard procedure for report and “the content of
shift report would sometimes degenerate into irrelevant and outdated statements” (Laws, &
Amato, 2010, p. 71). The next point addressed is the “patients’ desire to be more involved in the
plan of care” (Laws, & Amato, 2010, p. 71).
Review of Literature.
Laws and Amato (2010) used references from 1989 to 2007. The 1989 article, Walking
Rounds a Step in the Right Direction, may have been a valid resource yet there are perhaps more
up to date references that could be used. It is assumed that the article is referring to a form of
bedside reporting. However, the authors do not reference this article in their report. The two
individual studies that are referenced included a study by Jordan (1991) which review the lack of
care plans, and a study by Mangino (2006) which review concerns of confidentiality while
giving/receiving report.
Framework.
The facility utilized a Nursing Partnership Model of Care which incorporates “a
partnership with the patient, and family that promotes interaction through open communication
and mutual transaction” (Laws, & Amato, 2010, p. 71). Three steps are utilized to bring about
change in the current process.
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 16
Pre-implementation.
The biggest challenges at the launch of the study were patient participation and nurse
insecurity related to communication. Champion nurses, who have been specifically trained to
help educate staff, were available to address these challenges. Change of any nature is usually
met with resistance. By preparing the staff with the necessary tools the transition to bed-side
reporting will be a smooth process. Initial concerns were addressed through in-service
education, manuals, and handouts.
Implementation.
Patient education was also provided and patients were encouraged to assist with goals to
ensure their needs were addressed and plan of care could be adjusted as necessary. The use of an
informal survey was utilized to assemble this information and develop a plan of action. Patients
are searching for ways to become more involved and educated on their conditions to promote
better health.
Post-implementation.
Post implementation surveys were taken to review the changes in safety, confidentiality.
teamwork, length of report and accountability. Laws and Amato (2010) noted that
“confidentiality remained a concern for some nurses despite being informed that discussing a
patient’s case is an acceptable practice for nurses and physicians” (p. 73).
Results.
A survey conducted four months after the implementation of bedside reporting showed
positive results. Bedside reporting showed safety at 28% pre-implementation and 70% safety
post-implementation. Confidentiality rose from 59% to 100%; patient involvement increased
from 29% to 78%; team cooperation from 29% to 49%; and accountability jumped from 39% to
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 17
59%. Patient’s length of stay was the only area that did not change; it remained at 79% over the
four months (Laws & Amato, 2010, p. 73, figure 2).
Summary of Evaluation.
It is assumed that the authors of this study work in this facility. This could present bias
on the actual results of the study. A post-implementation survey was selected to measure the
results of the study. This tool would normally be considered useful; however, the authors fail to
note how and where this survey was administered. Participants may have felt pressure to answer
the questions in a certain manner.
The article could have been stronger if statistics were available that addressed real
numbers and not just feelings. Safety is one of the main focus points of bedside reporting. It
addresses the actual safety of a patient as well as making sure key information is shared between
staff. However, there are no actual numbers to indicate if injuries or sentinel events decreased.
The chart provided represents how the nurses felt, not what was actually happening.
While initial change can be difficult, by working together and promoting teamwork, the
best outcomes for the patients are achieved. Patient satisfaction and safety, along with increased
sense of teamwork and cooperation will enable staff to prioritize the work flow for the shift and
ensure patient safety (Laws & Amato, 2010, p. 74). Nurses originally perceived that reporting
would take longer yet the chart indicates that at the end of four months, the nurses felt it was the
same. Again, statistics at the start, middle, and end of the four month would have provided
valuable information. Additional information needed to be included from the patients’
perspective. Was bed side reporting a quality that patients valued, and was it able to assist them
in feeling that their needs were being addressed. As a nurse it is important to include the patient
in their plan of care to assist with understanding and continued recovery.
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 18
Article Four
Descriptive summary
The quantitative study, Bedside Handover: Quality Improvement Strategy to Transform
Care at the Bedside”, was accepted for publication in 2008. Five of the six authors are
Registered Nurses, three with Post-Doctoral degrees, and two with Masters level degrees. The
study took place in Queensland, Australia at a public hospital consisting of 330 beds, and as of
2006, 454 full time nursing staff members. Bedside handover was implemented on two medical
and one rehabilitation unit. The trial affected approximately 74 full time nursing employees.
The study discusses why this specific change was targeted, provided the framework used to
shape the desired change, provides post-implementation results, and includes two tables
consisting of practice guidelines for bedside handover and competency performance indicators
(Chaboyer, et al., 2009, p. 136-137).
Critical Appraisal
Problem and purpose statements.
Chaboyer et al. (2009) do not clearly identify the problem statement of their study.
However, through reading the introduction the authors imply that “bedside handover in nursing,
while not new, is one strategy purported to improve patient centered care; however, there has
been limited formal examination of its implementation…the majority of work in this areas has
been published a decade or more ago” (p. 136). The authors continue to discuss the lack of
implementation guidelines by stating, “most researches believe bedside handovers are time-
effective but there is limited documentation of how bedside handover should be implemented,
and both who and what it should encompass” (p.137). Essentially as the authors sum up, the lack
of evidenced based guidelines leaves units wishing to explore this avenue of nurse handover to
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 19
rely “on trial and error or other inefficient methods to implement this innovation” (p. 137). It is
assumed that the problem focus of this study is the lack of research and documentation available
from those who have implemented bedside reporting, allowing others to be guided in changing
their practice.
The purpose statement is clearly identified by the reader even though again it lacks its
own distinct heading and area in the introduction section. The authors’ state that this “article
describes a quality improvement activity aimed at improving patient-centered care: bedside
handover in nursing. The rationale for the change, steps used to implement bedside handover,
and patient and staff satisfaction after this practice improvement are described” (Chaboyer et al.,
2009, p.137).
Review of literature.
The review of literature [ROL] lacks its own section with proper heading, it is assumed
that the ROL section consists of only two paragraphs, following the assumed problem statement
and preceding the purpose statement and methods section. The very short and brief ROL section
could be because the lack of previous research or lack of current research which is essentially the
problem. If this is the case Chaboyer et al. (2009) could have included in the ROL section of
their report the numerical results of pertinent studies or research when they searched databases
for literature about bedside handover. This would have added concrete evidence to the claim of
lack of studies and research, especially current. In the introduction section the authors call by
name two studies that are recent, however do not list the year of publication in the narrative.
Both are primary sources within five years of the publication of this report. Neither of these
sources are critically appraised by the authors, but were briefly defined by the authors’. By
including two recent studies and not critically appraising them the reader could draw the
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 20
following conclusions: there really is not significant research and studies completed on bedside
handover, the studies mentioned were not strong studies, or that the authors did not do a
thorough review of existing literature. Again the authors could have provided evidence of lack
of available literature by including search results from databases. The authors’ Chaboyer, et al.,
did continue to review literature as it pertained to the following sections of their report, which
will be discussed as the sections are appraised.
Framework.
A team of nursing leaders in the Australian hospital consisting of: the director of nursing,
and nurse unit managers, “undertook a review of strategies to improve nursing handover as part
of a broader agenda to improve nursing service delivery” (Chaboyer et al., 2009, p.137). This
change was driven by complaints of the current system from patients, physicians, and the nursing
staff. The team used Lewin’s 3-step Model for Change as the framework to guide their step-by-
step plan to change the current practice of nurse reports on the three different floors within the
hospital. The authors defined Lewin’s 3-step model’s key concepts as, “unfreezing, moving, and
refreezing” (p. 137).
Lewin’s 3-step model for change.
Unfreezing.
Chaboyer et al. (2009) defined the first step of unfreezing as, “equilibrium needs to be
destabilized (unfrozen) before old behavior can be discarded (unlearned) and new behavior
successfully adopted” (p.137). The authors saw this step being met when the different parties of
care began to complain about the current system (p. 137).
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 21
Moving.
The authors did not define this step, which would have strengthened their model choice,
however, it can be assumed by the narration that this is the step where the change is developed
and implemented or in this case tested. The first step in this stage the authors state guidelines
were written by “a group of experienced managers and clinicians based on previous literature
and on the TCAB [transforming care at the bedside] pillars” (Chaboyer et al., 2009, p. 137). The
focus of the guidelines were: “preparing for handover, informing patient of handover, defining
content of handover, including safety scan and consideration for how to handle sensitive
information” (p. 137). Chaboyer et al. (2009) also created a table in the published study of their
developed “practice guidelines for bedside handover” (p. 138) which described the “preparation
(for handover), content (to be discussed during handover), and (documentation,
objective/subjective data of the) safety scan” (p. 138). The second step of this stage involved
those who would be implementing the change, the practicing nurses. An environment of open
communication was introduced as administration shared their observations and plans with the
bedside nurses, while listening and addressing their concerns (p. 138). Mainly, “very little
resistance was encountered…because of staff dissatisfaction with existing handover procedure”,
and the concerns voiced were of “patient confidentiality and how bedside handover could be
implemented on the night shift with patients sleeping” (p. 138). Also during this step the group
of managers and clinicians held “in-service education and development of written materials were
used to ensure the second step…was accomplished in a way that ensured consistency” (p.138).
Refreezing.
The final step of Lewin’s Model for Change again was not described but it can be
assumed to incorporate making the successful change permanent in policy, procedure, or
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 22
guidelines. Chaboyer et al. (2009) state this step consisted of “address[ing] by developing a
nursing competency…performance indicators, including competency in orientation programs
and annual performance appraisals” (p. 138). Again, the authors created a table for their
published study labeling the performance indicators they identified for the “bedside handover
competency” (p. 139). The authors had a successful change implementation which in the end
became as they state, “part of the way we do things” in these three units of the hospital (p. 138).
Results.
The data collection method of this study was through interviews with patients, nurses and
other members of the multidisciplinary team. The first interview took place prior to
implementation of bedside handover and centered on the different groups perception of the idea
of bedside handover. Each party represented in this interview had a positive view with one
patient stating, “it’s the only way I find out what’s happening” (Chaboyer et al., 2009, p. 139).
After initial concerns from the nursing staff, about confidentiality, and uncertainty related to the
process of bedside handover, nursing staff began to “embraced bedside handover” (p. 139).
The second interview took place six months following the implementation of bedside
nursing. Chaboyer, et al. (2009) stated that 54% of staff participated in this round of interview
through surveys (p. 139). Personally, the group would have placed higher confidence in study
had this percentage been higher. Chaboyer et al. (2009) also offered no reasoning to explain why
less that 2/3 of staff responded to the survey, which again would have been beneficial to the
study. Further, descriptions of the interviews would have strengthened this particular section.
The authors could have included the questions asked, the setting in which the interview took
place, and who conducted the interview. By including these particular components of gathering
results it would address any issues of biases’ that could or did exist.
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 23
The top three benefits that were given from those 54% who returned the survey are:
increased “support from shift coordinators and team leaders (59% agreement), improved patient
safety (44% agreement), and improved patient outcomes through discharge planning (44%)
agreement” (Chaboyer et al., 2009, p.139). It was also reported that since “shift coordinators and
team leaders attend bedside handover along with the other staff, they have a better understanding
of the situations with which nursing staff will have to deal during the shift” (p.139). Another
comment focusing on the attendance of nursing leaders in handover was it “provided an
opportunity for these leaders to model the behavior, share their expertise, and respond to queries”
(p. 139). Finally, staff also commented on the fact that other members of the multidisciplinary
team attended handover, which “promoted better communication between professional groups”
(p. 139).
The final component addressed in the results section is the changes that have been made
to the bedside handover process since 2006 when the change was implemented. Chaboyer et al
(2009) stated “on the rehabilitation ward patients now lead the handover, with nurses adding
information as required” (p.140). The reader would like to know the reason for the change of the
party leading report on this ward, which was not given. The reader assumes it coincides with
patient education and gives the nurse an idea of the patients understanding, and knowledge about
disease or injury processes, and signals success rate of discharge and compliance of at home
treatments. The medical wards introduced the “SBAR (situation, background, assessment,
recommendations) acronym to use when the patient’s condition has changed or when staff was
unfamiliar with the patient” (p. 140). Again, the reader would have liked the authors to describe
the reasoning for this change to protocol. The third change resulted from the use of float nurses,
nurses who began work mid shift, and for break coverage between nurses that were not part of
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 24
the bedside handover process. The hospital implemented a “double sided, one page handover
sheet containing basic demographic and clinical information about all the patients” (p. 140).
Discussion.
The discussion section of this report focused on the benefits reported with changing to
bedside handover, which included: increased patient-centered care and patient safety, along with
increased satisfaction with teamwork among nurses and collegiality. The authors continue with
their review of literature in this section as well, backing up their study results with other studies
that resulted in similar findings.
Chaboyer, et al (2009) stated that this change in reporting method yielded increased
patient-centered care and patients present on the wards “perceived bedside handover positively…
they became active participants in the handover process” (p. 140). By having the patients
participate in conducting bedside handover patients were provided “with an opportunity to gain a
better understanding of their plan of care” (p. 140). The authors then cited a primary source study
by Timonen and Sihvonen (2000) that concurred with the authors findings of improved patient
center cared, but sited barriers such as; “focus on documents, the use of medical jargon, and
having too many nurses present at the bedside presented barriers to patient participation”
(Chaboyer et al, 2009, p. 140). By supporting the authors findings with similar studies who
produced the same results strengthens the validity of their study, however, the reader would have
liked to been better introduced to this primary source with a brief description of the type of study
that was conducted. The authors also neglected to state the year of the study in the discussion
section leaving the readers to flip to the reference section to find how recent the study was. The
study by Timonen and Shivonen (2000) was published 9 years prior to Chaboyers’ et al. (2009)
which is considered outside the relevant source time frame of five years. However, considering
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 25
the problem statement being what it is, it further illustrates the lack of published studies and
research on the topic of bedside handover.
To support increased patient safety that was found as a result of implementing bedside
handover the authors cite reasons surrounding the idea of “oncoming staff undertake this activity
with input from outgoing staff” (Chaboyer et. al, 2009, p. 140). The authors cited that nurses
were able to identify “missing information or ambiguous statements can be easily addressed…by
scanning the patient, environment, and bedside chart” (p. 140). The authors continue by stating
“the scan also appears to limit inconsistencies between the patients reported and actual condition,
with visual sightings of the patient triggering questions and additional information (p. 140). The
authors could have strengthened this result statement with statistics from quality indicators such
as; medication errors, adverse outcomes, or other avoidable injuries prior to implementing
bedside handover, and then the statistics of the same quality indicators following implementation
as part of the six-month assessment. This would have provided the reader with concrete
evidence of the statement made by the authors of increased patient safety being a result of
bedside handover.
The authors described their finding of increased nurse teamwork and collegiality because
by having report at the bedside with oncoming, outgoing, and leadership nurses “brought the
nursing teams together” (Chaboyer et al., 2009, p. 140). The authors then back up this finding by
citing another source, which appears to be a secondary source by Zaccaro, Rittmana, and Marksb
whose article identified “three factors that influence team performance” (Chaboyer et al., 2009,
p. 140). The first factor is to “successfully integrate individual actions into the team” (Chaboyer
et al., 2009, p. 140). The authors see the act of bedside handover taking “place with a number of
nurses from both the outgoing and incoming staff, actually promot[ing] this integration”
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 26
(Chaboyer, 2009, p. 140). The second factor to influence team performance is coordination that
addresses that “teams function in complex, dynamic environments” (Chaboyer, et al., 2009, p.
140). The authors believe that with all aspects of care addressed during bedside handover
successfully addresses coordination within a team (p. 140). Finally, the third factor of “team
leadership as an important factor in team performance” (Chaboyer et al., 2009, p. 141) was
addressed with the nursing director and nursing unit managers not only taking part in developing
plans for the study and the transition to bedside handover, but these leaders were also present
during bedside reports. Offering the practicing nurses “opportunities for them to gain support
from shift coordinators and team leaders” (Chaboyer, et al., 2009, p. 141)
In this section the authors Chaboyer, et al. (2009) also stated limitations or other variables
that took place within these nursing units the same time as the transition to bedside handover.
The limitations are stated as: the study was “undertaken in one hospital; thus, the local context
may have influenced the project. Second the move to bedside handover was informally
evaluated, with nurses and patients being asked to comment on the process…other improvements
were occurring at the same time that may have influenced the findings” (p. 141). Such
improvements were claimed to include using whiteboards in patients rooms to distinguish care
staff, nurses beginning to do hourly rounds, and the nursing managers doing daily patient rounds
(p. 141). The authors could have strengthened this section by providing their reasoning for
considering the above limitations to be such, along with the influence they may have had on
study results.
Group Member’s Influential Experiences
According to N. Burns and S.K. Grove (2011) nurses acquire knowledge through:
“traditions, authority, borrowing, trial and error, personal experience, role modeling, intuition,
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 27
and reasoning” (p. 16-18). Between the four authors there is a vast array of specialties:
pulmonary, emergency, medical surgical, and skill rehabilitation. The nurse author currently
working in pulmonary uses the computerized Situation, Background, Assessment, Response
[SBAR] and then gives a two-three minute report on the key information. The problem with this
particular system is that multiple nurses are giving and receiving report at the same time which
provides a setting for chaos and increases the chance of error. However, the same nurse
completed her Associates Degree Leadership requirement at facility that utilized bedside
reporting. The benefits of this system far outweighed the risks in her opinion. She explains
benefits to include: being able to meet all of her patients, visualize their diagnoses, ask questions
of the outgoing nurse, and double check all records for completion. Her current pulmonary floor
has also recently entertained the idea of bedside reporting.
Another author has worked 12 years in the emergency department [ED], in the last 10
years the department began utilizing bedside introductions. Due to privacy issues that arise
during ED visits such as regarding abuse, psychiatric disorders, or assaults, full bedside reporting
is not appropriate. During this bedside introduction the off going nurse gets a chance to say good
bye and the oncoming nurse gets to immediately say hello, giving the patient comfort in knowing
who is taking care of them. This also gives the nurses a chance to review any drips that may be
going, review vitals and get an actual view of the patient. This makes for a decrease in
miscommunication and a safer environment for all. It also gives the patient to ask questions and
understand what is next in their plan of care.
The third author works on a medical surgical floor that utilizes the Kardex system and
verbal reports for nurse handoff. The Kardex provides the nurse information on the following:
IV solutions, tests that were performed or need to be performed, lab tests ordered, consulting
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 28
physicians, past medical history, and reason for hospitalization. The verbal report provides test
results, patient’s current condition, and any other pertinent information not recorded on the
Kardex. In her experience this type of reporting usually results in important information being
overlooked. Missing important health information can delay treatment and cause confusion
between patients and the health care team. She finds that many of her patients are unaware of
what test they are having done, x-rays or EKG’s for example, and the reason for the testing.
Bedside reporting would allow more communication of the plan of care with the patient and may
help answer patient questions.
Unlike the first three authors who work in the acute care setting the final author works in
post-acute rehab, where the numbers of patients under her care would not be conducive for
bedside reporting every shift. A daily routine for this nurse includes total licensed care for 32-40
patients therefore verbal report including changes in conditions in patients or full reports on new
admissions. The author does believe that bedside reporting would be beneficial in the area of
care, however, just with the numbers of patients it would only be time efficient to include only
new admissions in the daily bedside reporting. This would give the oncoming nurse the time to
meet the patient, review all admission paperwork is completed, understand any abnormal
assessment findings, and know all pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions
available for this patient. Throughout a patients stay in the rehabilitation facility the patient and
family members participate in multi-disciplinary care conferences periodically throughout the
process, where their plan or care is reviewed, areas that need improvement are discussed,
potential discharge time frame, post-discharge care is discussed, and all questions of either
patient or family are answered. This conference actually takes the place of bedside reporting for
the post-acute patient.
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 29
To Utilize, or Not To Utilize
The beginning question or purpose of the authors research was to determine whether
enough research exists to support that bedside reporting increases effective communication and
produces: better patient outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, and increased nurse job
satisfaction in acute care. The authors concluded that bedside report does increase effective
communication, increase nurse and patient satisfaction, and produce better patient outcomes’,
however; it is not appropriate for all acute care settings. The decision to trial bedside report must
be made based on the uniqueness of the unit, and the current level of satisfaction of the current
report system. Also there is no cut and dry approach to adopting bedside reporting on any unit,
again every unit is different and these individual characteristics must be taken into account. All
of the chosen articles in review demonstrated that bedside reporting produces all of the outcomes
questioned by the authors. However, these articles all implemented bedside reporting on a
medical surgical type floor. It is the authors opinions that if the any floor is having decreased
reporting satisfaction among nurses, or struggling to increase patient satisfaction rates, nurse
managers should discuss various other options of reporting, including bedside reporting.
BEDSIDE PATIENT REPORTING 30
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