An Exploratory Study of the Factors Inherent in the Change of Shift Report (7:30 a.m.) in One Nursing Unit, Veterans Administration Hospital, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

摘要

This was a descriptive study to explore factors in the communication process at the morning report session on one nursing unit, having 477 patients with psychiatric conditions. The total nursing staff on the unit consisted of 19 nurses, six licensed practical nurses and 82 nursing assistants. Twenty report sessions were observed. Schematic drawings on interactions of personnel were done, and questionnaires were administered at selected intervals to collect data on recall of material presented at the report, seating arrangement and hearing factors. The findings suggest the need for changes in the report precedure to reduce the number of people meeting at any one time, to reduce the number of items presented, and to provide better seating arrangements. The report includes a bibliography.