Abstract
Effective communication is one of the most significant factors in nursing practices that maximize the overall productivity of the unit and reduce the number of medical errors. Bedside shift report (BSR) concerns the healthcare information exchange between the incoming and outgoing practitioners, frequently involving the participation of patients (Jividen, 2021). This data might include the observation findings, the new guidelines, documentation changes, etc. (Jividen, 2021). Regardless of the specific information, bedside shift reports are associated with improved patient care and enhanced communication among nurses (Jividen, 2021).
Nevertheless, a large number of hospitals and medical facilities deny the implementation of bedside shift reports as an effective instrument of healthcare development (Jividen, 2021). Therefore, it is critical to increase awareness concerning the benefits of this method in the area of clinical practice. The current project demonstrates the efficiency of bedside shift reports by providing a transparent overview of existing literature and practicum experience.
Goal Statement and Project Objectives
The target population of the current paper includes healthcare specialists in various areas of medicine. Effective communication is the core component for most activities, whether it is highly skilled or labor-intensive occupations. A thorough analysis of nursing communication and bedside shift reports will reveal the necessity of emphasizing this focus area for improved patient care and reduction of medical errors. Therefore, the project objectives are the following:
- examine the primary principles, advantages, and disadvantages of bedside shift reporting in the existing literature;
- demonstrate the importance of effective communication in reducing the number of medical errors;
- generalize the efficiency of bedside shift reports in the healthcare community.
Literature Review
Consequently, it is essential to provide an evidence-based literature review to justify the scope of the project and emphasize the problem. A large amount of scientific research has focused on the issues of bedside shift reports and effective nursing communication to increase the overall awareness of the problem in the community. For instance, Dorvil (2018) has found that nurse bedside shift reports have been proved to be consistently useful by analyzing twenty-five articles from 2006 to 2016. The benefits include the improved patient experience, nurse satisfaction, sustainability, and even positive financial impact (Dorvil, 2018). However, the author also notes the necessity of a careful approach to the implementation process to avoid the associated risks.
Small and Fitzpatrick (2017) present similar findings concerning both benefits and disadvantages of the method. The authors have surveyed the nurses from two medical units with a total number of 55 respondents (Small & Fitzpatrick, 2017). Most practitioners have noted that while bedside shift reporting is slightly more stressful than traditional communication frameworks, it also promotes patient safety and involvement (Small & Fitzpatrick, 2017). Therefore, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to bedside shirt reporting that should be taken into account.
However, the research demonstrates that most of the negative aspects of bedside shift reporting emerge due to the inappropriate implementation of the system. Schirm et al. (2018) show that the least liked features of BSR include the interruption of the reporting process, extension of the shift, and disruptive environment. These elements are subject to organizational culture and might be corrected by systematic changes (Schirm et al., 2018).
Nevertheless, most research emphasizes the benefits and advantages of BSR implementation. McAllen et al. (2018) have investigated the percentage of falls among the patients in a hospital and found a drastic reduction of such accidents after BSR implementation. However, the authors also note the challenges for nursing leaders since BSR is still a relatively new system for a large number of employees, and guidance is required (McAllen et al., 2018).
Lastly, certain obstacles to BSR and communication may emerge if the patient is unable or is unwilling to cooperate (Wolters Kluwer, 2017). For instance, sensory disabilities, lack of privacy, sleep, and increased cognitive efforts might obstruct the process of BSR (Wolters Kluwer, 2017). Overall, the literature review transparently indicates the benefits of BSR and effective communication; however, inappropriate implementation of the method might deteriorate the quality of healthcare services.
Methodology
The methodology for the current project covers a theoretical background review, practicum experience in a hospital with the implemented BSR system, and generalization of the results. The methodology is aligned with the project objectives and is aimed to determine the positive and negative effects of BSR and nursing communication. The first step – examination – is completed via a literature review, and the primary principles, advantages, and disadvantages of BSR are identified. The second step concerns empirical practice, and cooperation with a hospital with implemented BSR system is needed.
The study utilizes qualitative data collection methods, such as interviews and surveys with the nurses, to assess the efficiency of BSR in a semi-supervised environment. Similar to the existing research presented in the literature review, the objective of the practicum experience is to understand the perceptions of BSR from working practitioners. Lastly, the findings from empirical practice will be analyzed and contrasted with the results from the existing research.
Resources
The necessary resources for the current project primarily include the theoretical databases of medical knowledge, access to the hospital with the implemented BSR framework, and nurses willing to participate in the study. Ideally, the examined hospital should have the documented results of previous report systems to compare the efficiency of methods. Nevertheless, it is not the imperative condition, and the evaluation of nurses’ perceptions and opinions will suffice for the scope of the current project.
Formative and Summative Evaluation
Formative and summative assessments are highly significant to evaluate the results of learning and project objectives. Both types of evaluation are necessary to determine the current phase of the project and student’s knowledge (Duers, 2009). In the current work, formative assessment will be utilized after each interval to ensure the appropriate development course of the project. For instance, an evaluation of the literature review is necessary to establish the principles of BSR, which will be consequently used in the second phase of the project. Summative assessment will be conducted by comparing the results of the empirical practice with the existing research.
Practicum Time Log and Conclusion
The timeline representation of the project is classified into four primary intervals – theoretical overview, practicum experience, analysis of the findings, and summative assessment. The first step includes the literature review and identification of BSR principles, advantages, and disadvantages. Practicum experience covers the empirical practice in the hospital with the implemented BSR system and surveys with the working practitioners. Consequently, the retrieved data is processed and analyzed to determine whether BSR is indeed an effective method to reduce the number of medical errors. Lastly, the data is compared to the existing research, and both the positive and negative effects of BSR are contrasted to determine the value of the current project. Ultimately, the practicum experience described in the time log is sufficient to achieve the project objectives and improve the student’s competencies in the chosen focus area.
References
Dorvil B. (2018). The secrets to successful nurse bedside shift report implementation and sustainability. Nursing management, 49(6), 20–25. Web.
Duers, L. E., & Brown, N. (2009). An exploration of student nurses’ experiences of formative assessment. Nurse Education Today, 29(6), 654–659. Web.
Jividen, S. (2021). 5 tips for an effective bedside shift report. Web.
McAllen, E. R., Stephens, K., Swanson-Biearman, B., Kerr., K., & Whiteman, K. (2018). Moving shift report to the bedside: An evidence-based quality improvement project. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(2). Web.
Schirm, V., Banz, G., Swartz, C., & Richmond, M. (2018). Evaluation of bedside shift report: A research and evidence-based practice initiative. Applied Nursing Research, 40, 20–25. Web.
Small, D. C., & Fitzpatrick, J. J. (2017). Nurse perceptions of traditional and bedside shift report. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 48(2), 44-49. Web.
Wolters Kluwer. (2017). Bedside shift reports can save lives. Web.