Hourly Rounding: Making Time for Better Practice

Abstract

Hourly Rounding: Making Time for Better Practice

Petra Blasko, Paige Puckett, & Caylin Bankston

Abstract

With the recent major changes in health care delivery, a top objective for many hospitals is to improve patient satisfaction, reduce hospital-related adverse events, and improve patient outcomes. Due to the standards being set by regulatory agencies such as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission, many facilities have mandated hourly rounding by providers. There is sufficient literature regarding the use of hourly rounding and its impact on patients’ experiences while hospitalized. Statistically, hourly nursing rounds have been correlated with improved patient satisfaction, decreased call-light usage, higher quality nursing care, and prevention of falls among numerous other positive results. Like with many other new implementations, opposition has emerged with the use of hourly rounding compared to rounding every two to three hours. This presentation will explore the current findings from various studies regarding hourly rounding including the positive outcomes and the challenges surrounding its implementation. The use of hourly rounding is a relatively new practice and there is a need for further research regarding its execution. However, there is literature currently available which supports the benefit of hourly rounding and this presentation will disseminate the findings from numerous investigations of its effect.