Importance of the bedside shift reports in improving the quality of nursing care, Elmak Nimer University Hospital, Shendi, Sudan

Abstract

This study aims to assess the nurse knowledge regarding the importance of the bedside shift reports in improving the quality of nursing care at Elmak Nimer University Hospital, between April to October 2018. Fifty five nurses participated and a questionnaire was used for data collection. More than two third of the participants were found knowledgeable about the general benefit of the bedside shift report and its role in increasing the level of communication between nurses and patients and among nurses. Besides, the participants were found knowledgeable about the importance of the bedside report during the application of the nursing care plan and it is a benefit to minimize nursing care errors and increasing job satisfaction. There was no significant relationship found between the qualification of the participants and their knowledge about the importance of the bedside shift report in the implementation of the nursing care plan. However, a shortage of staff and the limitation of technological resources play the main barrier in properly applying this type of report. In conclusion, the study recommends improving the general conditions of works and the importance of the availability of services of information technology and health informatics for nursing staff.