Implementing Hourly Nurse Rounding
The benefits of hourly rounding can be very encouraging for hospitals considering implementing the program. However, according to the Studer Group, the hospital consulting organization credited with first documenting the benefits of hourly nurse rounding, hospitals should not attempt to execute the program halfheartedly. Having the nurses merely get “face-time” in with the patients each hour is not enough. In order for hospitals to see real results, the Studer Group advocates that nurses follow the following eight-step rounding procedure each time they enter a room during their hourly round:
- Use opening Key Words.
- Accomplish scheduled tasks.
- Address the “Three Ps”—pain, potty, position.
- Address additional comfort needs.
- Conduct environmental assessment.
- Ask, “Is there anything else I can do for you? I have time.”
- Tell each patient when you will be back.
- Document the round.
The most critical component, according to the Studer Group, for a successful hourly rounding implementation is maintenance. Nurse Managers must be committed to the program, and must continually validate the program or it quickly falls apart. Validation consists of not only making sure that nurses are consistently making hourly rounds, but also that they are faithfully following rounding procedure.
Trust but Verify
The Studer Group suggests that nurse managers execute a “trust but verify” policy. It is important that nurses do not perceive that they are being “checked up on” by their managers because they are untrustworthy. Instead, managers need to communicate that they are simply double checking to make sure activities do not “fall through the cracks” and that bad habits are not formed.
Hourly Nurse Rounding Validation through Technology
Dalcon provides a solution to help hospitals implement nurse rounding as a part of its Dalcon Alert Remote Patient Monitoring system.
Dalcon Alert captures patient monitoring device alerts and sends them to wireless phones carried by hospital staff via text message. In addition to monitoring patient device alerts, Dalcon Alert also sends periodical bed turn alerts to staff as well as rounding reminder alerts. Nurses cancel their rounding reminder alert via Dalcon Alert’s Remote Alarm Monitor at the patient bedside. As a result, hourly rounding is assured. However, it is still the responsibility of the nurse managers to confirm that nurses are following rounding procedure accurately and diligently.
