Improving communication in the clinical environment through bedside shift report (BSR): A quality improvement project

Abstract

<p>Effective communication is required during the handoff process to ensure essential patient information is relayed for continuity and quality of care. The author conducted a quality improvement initiative at a 380 bed acute care facility using Lewin's Change Theory and implementing a structured tool to standardize handoff practice at the bedside that included the patient (bedside shift report [BSR]). Outcomes were measured for patient and nursing satisfaction and a decrease in medication errors over a four-week period of time. Results show BSR improved patient satisfaction scores in Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores and the potential for improving medication errors by including the patient and having both nurses review the medications as part of the implemented structured tool.</p>