Improving communication: A standardized end-of-shift reporting system

Abstract

The purpose of my nursing school honors project is to improve communication between registered nurses (RNs) at shift change in an acute care facility's Emergency Department (ED). I developed a communication tool and distributed it to all RNs working in the ED. They were asked to utillize this tool while giving and receiving report at shift change. I later distributed a survey to all RNs (with the exception of supervisory staff) to evaluate the tool. The goal is to improve communication by providing consistency in end of shift reporting between nurses. Utilizing a standardized communication tool can aide in relaying vital patient information in a hope to reduce errors and improve patient care.