Bedside report can be used interchangeably with the terms hand-off communication or shift report. Hand-off reports are typically brief and informal. Traditionally hand-off report rituals are based upon one nurse “giving” report to the on-coming nurse. This is not typically an interactive conversation between two nurses. This style of reporting does not give nurses the opportunity to clarify information or ask any questions. Report is subjective to what the off-going nurse considers important information to convey to the on-coming nurse. According to Caruso (2007), “change of shift signifies a time of careful communication in order to promote patient safety and best practices” (p. 17). Handoff report is the transferring of responsibility
