Come Check on You in an Hour!

An old approach to meeting the needs of our patients has taken on new meaning. Patient Rounding has been considered a standard of nursing care for as long as I have been a nurse, 30+ years. Recent research has demonstrated that patient rounding done in a consistent standardized manner increases patient satisfaction and decreases falls and call light usage.

So what is so special about this “new” patient rounding? It is designed to increase our communication with our patients, demonstrate a higher level of caring and compassion, and helps us respond more quickly to the needs of our patients.

What are the components of patient rounding? First and most important is developing a relationship with the patient through introduction of the caregiver and a common understanding of what the patient wants and needs to achieve during the time they are working together. Whiteboards are often used in patient rooms to help communicate important information. They capture the caregivers’ names, how to reach them for any needs, the goals for the day, and other key information. These are all done in an effort to make the patient feel more comfortable in the foreign environment of a hospital.

Next comes the checking in frequently with our patients and we have designated hourly rounding so we can ensure that all needs are met as soon as possible. Rounding is not just to peek in on the patient but to check on their 1) Pain level, 2) Positioning and Comfort, 3) Toileting Needs, and 4) finally before the caregiver leaves the room they should ask the question, “Is there anything else I can do for you” and let them know when to expect another round. As we have been incorporating this approach into our nursing care we have found that rounding has made a positive change in our patient satisfaction. The rounds lead to better care because they build trust between patients and caregivers. Other benefits of rounding also exist. Hospitals have found that there are safety benefits as well. Units that adopted hourly rounding cut their patient fall rates in half and reduced the number of pressure sores developed by patients.
Our patients’ satisfaction is a top priority for us and hourly rounding is helping us meet and exceed our patient’s expectations.

- Karen Robeano
Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer