Bedside Shift Reporting

Change Theory

Ayva Rodriguez

Felician College

Change Theory

The complex system of health care are always changing to find a better way of serving and providing the best practice, safe, quality, cost-effective patient care (Mitchell, 2013, p. 32). A good communication is essential for the patient safety and decrease errors caused by miscommunication (Sitki, Weitzel, & Glisson, 2013, p. 25). And to improve the communication between nurses or caregivers and with the patient, a plan of changing the way that the nursing staff performs shift-to-shift reporting will be implemented. But the implementation of change can be challenging and choosing the right approach is vital for the success of the bedside shift reporting planned change

The leaders believe that the staff will do well, motivated, and would like to be independent (Giltinane, 2013, p. 37). Additionally, leaders share their responsibility by involving the staff in the decision making as well as being considerate to them (Giltinane, 2013, p. 37). These traits help the staff members improve their own leadership skills and develop autonomy (Giltinane, 2013, p. 37). And with the leaders’ guidance, open communication with the staff, and involvement in the decision making, this can lead to an increase motivation, cooperation and good working relationship or teamwork (Giltinane, 2013, p. 37). And the coordination and cooperation of the staff members are needed for the implementation of change (Mitchell, 2013, p.

26). All nurses were held accountable for the new practice expectations and a clear expectation that the bedside shift reporting was not an option and that all shifts are expected to use this (Sitki et al., 2013, p. 26). A clear written bedside shift report policy about the expectation will be distributed to all involve individuals and letting them know that this is one of the nursing division goals for the fiscal year (Sitki et al., 2013, p. 26). Discussions in meetings will be facilitated that includes the advantages of bedside shift report to patients and staff, citing an example of the hospital’s successful implementation and asking for any suggestions of bedside shift report would look like and what content will be included and concerns will be discussed and addressed (Sitki et al., 2013, p. 27). A bedside shift report demonstration video and competency checklist will be presented (Sitki et al., 2013, p. 27). And the shared competency validation would be between the nursing facilitators, unit manager and the identified unit champions (Sitki et al., 2013, p. 27). When the manager is not around, the unit champions will play a role in holding the staff accountable and encouraging the new practice behavior (Sitki et al., 2013, p.