Handoff of patient information during shift report between nurses is a time of risk and liability. A quality improvement project was conducted on a 23-bed inpatient unit to measure the value of a bedside change-of-shift report in improving the effectiveness of shift report. Indicators including end-of-shift overtime, call light usage, nurse perceptions, and patient satisfaction were impacted by the change in process.

This study analyzed registered nurse workarounds in an academic medical center using bar code medication administration technology. Nurse focus groups and a survey were used to determine the frequency and potential causes of workarounds. More than half of the nurses surveyed indicated that they administered medications without scanning the patient or medications during the last shift worked. Benefits of this study include considerations when implementing bar code medication administration technology that may minimize the development of these workarounds in practice.