University Hospital

APPROVAL:                   09/08

The change of shift report allows for verbal communication among the members of the nursing staff to facilitate continuity of care.

The report begins promptly at 06:30 A.M., 14:30 P.M., 18:30 P.M., and 22:30 P.M. All off-going RN staff makes every effort to provide report on time.  The on-coming staff, after receiving report on their patients, provides report to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) team members within one hour of beginning of shift.

The RN shift report should be concise and informative with a more detailed report about unstable, complex or seriously ill patients and new post-operative patients.  Patient care summaries provided to on-coming nurses are accurate and complete, having been updated 2 hours prior to end of shift..

Patient’s report should be done with bedside charts and follow specific UAMS Hand Off Guidelines.

RNs provide concise individual report to UAPs. RNs delegate patient care tasks that UAPs are competent to complete.  RNs are responsible to validate UAPs understanding of their role in the patients’ plan of care.

UAPs are to promptly report abnormal vital signs and observation to RN.  UAPs communicate continuously throughout the shift about patient care they have or have not provided.

Glucometer procedures performed by PCT or CCA are reported to the RN promptly.  The glucometer print out is forwarded to the RN when received.

UAPs provide end of shift report to assigned RN.  Patient care given and documentation by UAP are reviewed with the RN.