Improving the Effectiveness of Intentional Rounding: A Quality Improvement Project

BackgroundIneffective intentional rounding (IR) may lead to missed care opportunities and an increased risk of adverse events. Quality improvement (QI) strategies may enhance nurses’ compliance with rounding protocols and improve patient safety.ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of a multifaceted QI program on the rate of effective IR and the incidence of nursing-related adverse events.MethodsThis pre–post study was conducted at a tertiary hospital. The department of nursing-level interventions included the following: revising the scope of required hourly patient rounds to direct nurses’ attention toward elderly patients and those at high risk of falls; mandating that nurses could only document round completion by scanning either patient wristbands or bedside QR codes containing patient information; and providing standardized, organization-wide training. Ward-level interventions included disease-specific training, high-risk time reminders, establishing standardized effective round assessment forms, monthly reviews by liaison nurses, and regular random checks by the QI team. Effective round rates and adverse events (including unplanned extubation, intravenous injection safety events, and falls) were compared before and after implementation.OutcomeThe timely rounding rate for first-level nursing increased significantly from 77.46% in 2023 to 91.89% in Q4 2024 (χ2 = 3561.443, p