Staff and patient views on intentional rounding

Intentional rounding is controversial, with growing evidence questioning its effectiveness. This article describes the planning stage of a quality improvement project to develop rounding undertaken by a London trust. Through a survey, interviews, observations and an audit, it was found that neither patients nor staff believed intentional rounding was effective in improving patient care. The system was not carried out as indicated by trust policy, and patients interviewed questioned the need for rounding. It is suggested that nurses and patients work together to develop a new model of inpatient care provision, with emphasis placed on an effective nurse-patient relationship.