'Caring around the clock': a new approach to intentional rounding

Area of Science:

• Healthcare management
• Patient safety protocols
• Nursing practice innovation

Background:

• Intentional rounding gained prominence following reports on healthcare failings.
• Government initiatives mandated hourly patient checks by nurses to enhance care quality.
• The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry underscored the need for improved patient engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To share experiences and learnings from implementing intentional rounding.
• To explore the necessity of education and cultural shifts for successful intentional rounding.
• To evaluate an innovative intentional rounding approach across a large hospital trust.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of an intentional rounding process across 79 hospital wards.
• Focus on educational strategies to support staff adoption.
• Emphasis on fostering a cultural shift to embed the practice.

Main Results:

• The study details the practical application of intentional rounding.
• Identified key factors for successful implementation, including education and cultural adaptation.
• Provided insights into overcoming challenges in adopting new care processes.

Conclusions:

• Intentional rounding requires a concerted effort involving education and cultural transformation.
• The Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust's experience offers valuable lessons for other healthcare providers.
• Successful implementation is crucial for enhancing patient care and safety.