Intentional rounding: a review of the literature

Abstract

Intentional rounding is a structured approach whereby nurses conduct checks on patients at set times to assess and manage their fundamental care needs. Concerns about poor standards of basic nursing care have refocused attention on the need to ensure fundamental aspects of care are delivered reliably. A literature review was conducted to inform nurses planning to use this approach in their practice and to direct future research in this area. The aim is to explore the implementation and use of intentional rounding and its effectiveness in improving patient care.

A systematic review: barriers to hourly rounding

“…, Harrington et al . , Shepard , Fabry , Forde‐Johnston ). Patient acuity levels may impact the nurse's ability to round at a prescribed frequency.…”

“…Several studies cited that staff did not think they received enough education so they did not understand the concepts (Dix et al . , Forde‐Johnston , Patterson ). Olrich et al .…”

“…, Olrich et al . , Forde‐Johnston ). Inconsistencies of hourly rounding over time coincided with the reduction in leadership members of the project team (Dix et al .…”

“…() stated that there was a lack of consistent leadership support over all three nursing shifts, which caused challenges in their process. The literature review identified that all of their studies highlighted the need for management support for the staff implementing intentional rounding (Forde‐Johnston ).…”

Intentional rounding – An integrative literature review

“…IR is a systematic approach to checking individual patients at set intervals, anticipating patient needs, reducing adverse advents, offering greater comfort and reducing anxiety for patients. IR started as “patient comfort rounds,” in an effort to ensure that each patient was comfortable and that fundamental care needs such as pain assessment and control, personal comfort and environmental needs were met (Flowers et al., ; Forde‐Johnston, ; Meade, Bursell, & Ketelsen, ; Morgan et al., ; Kirk & Kane, ) . This rationale for regular rounding is to give holistic care and to meet all medical, social and behavioural needs.…”