This week’s assignment is STEP 1 – Introduction and Problem Statement. and will customize the question to meet his or her interest. My PICOT question is on a medical-surgical hospital unit (P), how does implementing hourly nursing rounding (I), compared to no scheduled rounding (C), affect patient safety (O), within 6 months of implementing (T)? – medical-surgical hospital unit – implementing hourly nursing rounding – no scheduled rounding – patient safety – 6 months , the student will use the outline below .
Introduction:
Patient safety is a critical concern in medical-surgical hospital units. Various strategies have been implemented to improve patient safety, one of which is hourly nursing rounding. This assignment aims to explore the impact of implementing hourly nursing rounding on patient safety within a 6-month period.
Problem Statement:
The problem to address in this study is the potential influence of implementing hourly nursing rounding compared to no scheduled rounding on patient safety in medical-surgical hospital units.
Background:
Medical-surgical hospital units are responsible for the care and treatment of patients with diverse medical conditions and surgical needs. These units are characterized by high patient acuity and complex care requirements, often leading to increased risks for adverse events. Patient safety is a primary concern in these settings as errors and adverse events can have severe consequences for patients.
Hourly nursing rounding has emerged as a potential strategy to improve patient safety in medical-surgical hospital units. This practice involves nurses conducting regular checks on patients’ needs and concerns on an hourly basis. By proactively addressing patients’ needs, it is believed that hourly nursing rounding can prevent unanticipated adverse events and promote a culture of safety.
No scheduled rounding refers to a lack of structured or regular patient check-ins by nursing staff. In such instances, nurses may be less likely to detect and address potential issues promptly, leaving patients vulnerable to adverse events.
The focus of this study is to determine the impact of implementing hourly nursing rounding on patient safety compared to no scheduled rounding in a medical-surgical hospital unit. Understanding the potential benefits or drawbacks of different rounding practices can inform evidence-based nursing practice and enhance patient care outcomes.
Significance of the Study:
Improving patient safety is a top priority for healthcare organizations and nursing staff. Medical-surgical hospital units, in particular, strive to provide safe and high-quality care to patients with diverse needs. This study’s significance lies in its potential to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by examining the impact of implementing hourly nursing rounding on patient safety within a 6-month period.
By evaluating the effects of hourly nursing rounding, healthcare professionals can better understand the importance of this practice in enhancing patient safety. The findings of this study may provide evidence to support the implementation of hourly nursing rounding as a practice guideline for medical-surgical hospital units.
Furthermore, this study may shed light on the potential benefits of implementing hourly nursing rounding, such as improved patient satisfaction, reduced adverse events, and enhanced communication between patients and nurses. Conversely, it may also uncover any challenges or unintended consequences associated with this practice.
Methodology:
To examine the impact of implementing hourly nursing rounding on patient safety, a quantitative research design will be utilized. The study will involve a retrospective analysis of patient safety outcomes before and after the implementation of hourly nursing rounding in a medical-surgical hospital unit.
Data will be collected from electronic health records and incident reporting systems to assess patient safety indicators such as falls, medication errors, and patient satisfaction scores. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis will be conducted to analyze the data and determine the significance of any observed differences.
The study population will comprise patients admitted to the medical-surgical hospital unit during the study period. The sample size will be determined using power analysis techniques to ensure adequate statistical power to detect meaningful differences in patient safety outcomes.
Ethical considerations, including obtaining informed consent and ensuring patient confidentiality, will be addressed throughout the study. IRB approval will be sought prior to data collection and analysis, ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines.
Limitations and Delimitations:
Several limitations may affect the generalizability of the study findings. Firstly, the study will focus on a single medical-surgical hospital unit, which may limit the external validity of the results. Secondly, the study’s retrospective design may introduce bias or confounding variables that could influence the observed outcomes.
Furthermore, the implementation of hourly nursing rounding may be influenced by various factors such as staffing levels, nurse experience, and unit culture, which may not be captured in the data analysis. Additionally, the 6-month timeframe for evaluating the impact of hourly nursing rounding may not capture long-term effects on patient safety.
Despite these limitations, the study offers valuable insights into the potential impact of implementing hourly nursing rounding on patient safety outcomes in a medical-surgical hospital unit. These findings can inform evidence-based practice and contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve patient safety in healthcare settings.