Physician/Nurse Knowledge Exchange Through Rounding: Effective Communication and Optimal Patient Outcomes
Graduation Date
1-2012
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Nursing
Department or Program Chair
Eira Klich-Heartt, RN, MSN
Thesis Advisor
Eira Klich-Heartt, RN, MSN
Abstract
Background: Lack of communication or miscommunication is the root cause of 60% to 70% of sentinel events among healthcare professionals, which result in decreased patient and staff satisfaction and outcomes, increase in medication errors, and decrease awareness of a health issue, problem or solution. This factor illustrates the necessity of optimizing communication among the multidisciplinary members of the healthcare team.
Objectives: To increase physician (MD) and registered nurse (RN) rounding, develop a policy on MD/RN knowledge exchange, and assemble a committee on MD/RN knowledge exchange.
Methods: Extensive data indicated a lack of MD/RN rounding. Data were documented on spreadsheets. A survey was developed with five questions related to rounding. was formed and a policy was created. Data were analyzed using
Results: Results showed a significant increase in awareness of the benefits of rounding by RNs and MDs based on surveys given before and after educational intervention. In addition, rounding increased significantly after an independent t test was performed on MD RN Knowledge Exchange Tally data. An increase in patient satisfaction was significant after an ANOVA was performed on the base line post intervention HCAHPS scores rating patient satisfaction. An increase of communication was also observed base on HCAHPS scores.