Intentional rounding – An integrative literature review

Aims: To establish current knowledge about the efficacy and acceptance of intentional rounding in current practice, from the perspective of nurses, patients, patient satisfaction and safety indicators. Background: Intentional rounding is a formal means of nursing staff checking care needs of patients in hospital settings on a regular basis. Design: An integrative literature review conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute manual. Data sources: A literature search from 2000 – 2017 was conducted using the following electronic databases: The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ProQuest, PubMed, Informit, Sage and Scopus. Review methods: Articles were assessed for quality and rigor using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool and the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment tool for Quantitative Studies. A sequential explanatory mixed studies approach was used to combine qualitative and quantitative evidence in a single review. In-depth parallel reviews of the quantitative and qualitative evidence were undertaken, and then a synthesis of the combined qualitative and quantitative evidence conducted. Results: Intentional rounding has positive outcomes on patient satisfaction and safety. Nurses perceive benefits related to intentional rounding; however, some nurses perceive it as an additional, unnecessary task. The effectiveness of intentional rounding is influenced by external factors including leadership and formal rounding education, workload, ward layout, staffing and experience level. Conclusion: Intentional rounding is a positive intervention in patient safety and satisfaction generally, but needs further research and consideration about actual impact, staff delegation, education and engagement, student nurse involvement, documentation and specializing the structure of intentional rounding.