Trio Rounding: Perceptions of Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Nurses and Physicians

The purpose of this study was to explore the process, benefits, and challenges of patient-centered Trio rounding in acute inpatient rehabilitation from the perspectives of nurses and physicians.

A descriptive qualitative design was used in this study.

Focus group interviews (FGIs) involving 27 nurses and physicians were thematically analyzed using Dedoose. A descriptive survey of rounding practices was conducted.

Five primary themes were identified: (1) interprofessional team collaboration; (2) patient safety and quality of care; (3) communication, education, and patient/family partnering; (4) synchronicity of workflow; and (5) participants' recommendation to develop rehabilitation Trio rounding standard process. Themes were consistent with Picker's patient-centered care principles. Findings from a survey on current rounding practice done prior to the FGI reinforced participants' discussion on challenges in conducting patient-centered Trio rounding.

Trio rounding in acute inpatient rehabilitation is a complex process challenged by asynchronous workflow and patients' therapy schedules. Nurses and physicians reported benefits outweighed challenges for Trio rounding in acute rehabilitation.

The study provided valuable recommendations to develop acute inpatient rehabilitation Trio rounding standard process.