Back to Basics

It's fascinating how established healthcare best practices consistently prove their worth and become standard care once again. Bedside Shift Reports exemplify this principle unequivocally. For those unfamiliar, Bedside Shift Reports occur at the patient's bedside prior to a shift change, involving two clinicians—the outgoing nurse or nursing assistant and their incoming counterpart.

Of course, the central figure in this practice is the patient. Bedside Shift Reports aim to inform patients about their care plan, upcoming tests, and treatments. Importantly, they allow patients to meet the staff who will be attending to them during the next shift. This process isn't just about information exchange; it fosters mutual trust among staff members, providing opportunities for them to support each other and ensure seamless care continuity.

As a Nurse Leader Coach involved in facilitating SIM Lab exercises focused on best practices like Bedside Shift Reports (BSR) and Hourly Rounding, I have found that a primary concern expressed by clinicians hesitant to engage in BSR is discomfort with the spotlight. Many feel uneasy about being the center of attention while delivering reports to incoming colleagues.

In my coaching role, I've discovered that active listening enables me to uncover underlying sentiments and comprehend the reasons behind resistance and apprehension toward certain practices. This approach offers valuable insights into clinicians' viewpoints and effectively addresses their concerns.

The key missing element often revolves around changing the dynamic so that clinicians no longer feel like they are performing on stage. I've developed a delivery model that enhances the exchange triangle involving the patient, the outgoing nurse, and the incoming nurse. This method has revolutionized the delivery and reception of Bedside Shift Reports (BSR), earning widespread acceptance for its user-friendly approach.

If you or your organization is invested in optimizing the Bedside Shift Report and wish to learn more about this simplistic yet effective delivery method, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I am happy to share more details for those interested.