Module 3 Further Reading

This module focuses on the What, Why, and How of Bedside Shift Report and Patient Bedside Whiteboards. This module emphasizes effective and efficient transfer of care at the bedside involving the patient in the conversation and demonstrates how to use the Patient Bedside Whiteboard for communication between health care providers and patient and family.

The module reviews the cornerstones of both processes, roles of the patient and the incoming and outgoing nurse. It also reviews how to incorporate a safety check during report and how to best use the Patient Bedside Whiteboard. The module includes key decisions the site team must make when preparing for implementation. The reflective questions at the end of the module help learners and groups to understand how to incorporate these processes into their individual daily practice.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

  • Recognize the cornerstones of Bedside Shift Report;
  • Identify the roles of the patient, incoming nurse, and outgoing nurse at the bedside;
  • Recall the safety elements that may be checked at the bedside during the transfer of care;
  • Collaborate with other staff members in planning for and implementing Bedside Shift Report and Patient Bedside Whiteboards.

CIHC Competencies

Patient Centred Care

Support participation of patients/clients and their families, or community representatives as integral partners with those health care personnel providing their care or service planning, implementation, and evaluation

Share information with patients/clients (or family and community) in a respectful manner and in such a way that is understandable, encourages discussion, and enhances participation in decision-making

Team Functioning

Effectively facilitate discussions and interactions among team members

IP Communication

Communicate to ensure common understanding of care decisions

Develop trusting relationships with patients /families and team members

Collaborative Leadership

Co-create a climate for shared leadership and collaborative practice

Further Reading

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2013). Nurse Bedside Shift Report: Implementation Handbook. Retrieved from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) website (LINK).

Anderson, C.D., & Mangino, R.R. (2006). Nurse shift report: Who says you can't talk in front of the patient? Nursing Administration Quarterly, 30(2), 112-122.

Baker, S.J. (2010). Bedside shift report improves patient safety and nurse accountability. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 36(4), 355-358.

Chaboyer, W., McMurray, A., Johnson, J., Hardy, L., Wallis, M., & Chu, F.Y. (2009). Bedside handover: Quality improvement strategy to "transform care at the bedside." Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 24(2), 136-142.

Griffin, T. (2010). Bringing change-of-shift report to the bedside: A patient- and family-centered approach. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing, 24(4), 348-353.

Lin, M., Hughes, B., Katica, M., Dining-Zuber, C., & Plsek, P. (2011). Service design and change of systems: Human-centered approaches to implementing and spreading service design. International Journal of Design, 5(2), 73-86.

Gesensway, D. (2010). Getting the most out of the humble whiteboard. Today's Hospitalist, 8(8). Retrieved from Today's Hospitalist website (LINK).

Sehgal, N.L., Green, A., Vidyarthi, A.R., Blegen, M.A., & Wachter, R.M. (2010). Patient whiteboards as a communication tool in the hospital setting: A survey of practices and recommendations. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 5, 234-239. doi: 10.1002/jhm.638