The change-of-shift report

The change-of-shift report for nurses is an essential part of beginning a shift. The oncoming nurse needs to gather pertinent information from the outgoing nurse regarding the patient’s condition. This includes patient history, current problem, care and treatment given in the previous shift, and the ongoing plan of care.

The oncoming nurse relies on the information provided by the departing nurse and uses that information to prioritize care for the day among several patients. Distractions such as a noisy area, conversations with other nurses, and the worry of completing tasks on time can make it easy to forget or miss crucial information.

Also, the time it takes to receive information for up to five patients from several nurses delays the oncoming nurse from a visual overview of the patient’s current status. At Rady Children’s Hospital, the change-of-shift report is conducted at the nurse’s station, excluding the patient. Although conducting change-of-shift reports at the nurses’ station may seem easier for the nurses, this practice is not optimal for patient care and satisfaction.

1. What is the problem described here?
2. List three things that are in or about this statement that make it a good problem statement.
3. List at least one thing that is in or about this problem statement that detracts from the point.
4. List two topics you would research if this was your problem statement.