How we communicate about your care

The bedside shift report, hourly rounding and care boards help keep you informed and involved in your care.  These practices also support the excellent quality of care and safety that you expect as a patient at The Ottawa Hospital.

Bedside shift report

During a bedside shift report, the nurse who is finishing their shift and the nurse who is starting their shift will come to your bedside. The nurse finishing their shift will introduce you to the nurse starting their shift and taking over your care.  They will share information about your care at your bedside and in your presence. You are welcome to ask questions at any time.

This practice can help:

• Keep you better informed about your plan of care, medications, tests and progress.
• Make you feel comfortable about the safety and quality of care that you receive.
• Give you an opportunity to ask questions and become more involved in your care.

You may choose to take part in the report by asking questions or sharing information, but you don’t have to take part if you don’t want to. Visitors are usually asked step out during report, but you can request that they stay.

What about your privacy?

If you prefer not to have bedside reports or wish to limit what is shared in front of others, the nurses will make other arrangements based on your preferences.

What if you are asleep?

The nurses will still enter your room, but they will try not to disturb you. Tell your nurse if you want them to wake you up when it is time for report.

Hourly rounding

A nurse will come to your bedside about once every hour to:

• See if you are comfortable.
• Ask about your pain.
• Help you move or change position.
• Ensure you can reach your call bell, the bedside table, and any other items you need.

Your nurse will complete all nursing care during these visits whenever possible. If you need assistance between these hourly visits, please press your call bell button.

What if you are asleep?

The nurse will still come in your room to check on you, but they will not wake you up unless it is necessary.

Care boards

A care board is a white board on the wall near your bed.  It helps share information between you, your family and your care team so that everyone stays informed and involved in your care.

Nurses will use your care board to review your care plan, set goals with you, and update it at shift changes and as needed. You or your family can also write messages on the care board for your care team.

What about your privacy?

Let your nurse know if you have privacy concerns. You can limit what is written on the care board, and nurses will make other arrangements based on your preferences.

If you or your family have any questions about any of these practices, please ask your nurse or the clinical manager of your unit.

Last updated on: March 20th, 2026