AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Standardized Shift-Change Process Optimizes Time for Transfer of Patient Care Responsibility, Leads to High Levels of Nurse and Patient Satisfaction

Standardized Shift-Change Process Optimizes Time for Transfer of Patient Care Responsibility, Leads to High Levels of Nurse and Patient Satisfaction


Summary
NKEplus (Nurse Knowledge Exchange Plus) is a six-step process applied to nurse shift changes that is designed to enhance patient safety by conveying vital patient information accurately, concisely, and consistently. Handoff of each patient from one nurse to the next occurs at the patient’s bedside and includes patient participation. NKEplus optimizes the time spent transferring patient care from one nursing shift to the next, leading to high levels of patient and nurse satisfaction.

See the Description section for a discussion of the six process steps (enhanced from four process steps included in the initial design); the References section for a link to the NKEplus website; the Results section for new data on increased nurse time at the bedside; and the Use by Other Organizations section for updated information about program dissemination (updated April 2011).

Evidence Rating
Moderate: The evidence consists of before and after comparisons of pilot study data on the time it takes incoming nurses to prepare for the shift, post-implementation nurse and patient satisfaction surveys, and pre-post implementation data on nurse time spent at the bedside.


Developing Organizations
Kaiser Permanente-California
Kaiser Permanente-California is headquartered in Oakland, CA.end do

Date First Implemented
2004

The first iteration of the program (called NKE, or Nurse Knowledge Exchange) was implemented in 2004; NKEplus was implemented in 2009.

full-text:
AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Standardized Shift-Change Process Optimizes Time for Transfer of Patient Care Responsibility, Leads to High Levels of Nurse and Patient Satisfaction