Scheduled Nursing Rounds
How your nursing team cares for you around the clock
While you’re in the hospital, your nursing team will check on you regularly to make sure your needs are met. Your team aims to keep you comfortable, safe, and well-informed during your stay. Scheduled nursing rounds are one way they do this.
What Happens During Nursing Rounds?
You may have many needs while you’re in the hospital. Nursing rounds are scheduled check-ins to address patient needs that come up often. Between these scheduled rounds, you can use your call light to ask for help, too.
Pain
During rounds, your nurse will ask you about your pain level and provide medication or other comfort measures. There are many ways to help with pain in addition to medication, including ice packs, heat, and repositioning. You may have different medications available, depending on your pain level. Ask your nurse what your options are and, together, make a plan to keep pain manageable.
Position
Changing positions frequently helps prevent pressure sores, improves circulation, and helps you stay comfortable. Ask your care team to assist you if you need help changing your position.
Call, don’t fall!
Even if you’re normally steady on your feet, illness and some medications can make you feel dizzy or weaker than usual. If you need to get out of bed or move around, use your call light to ask for help. It's always better to be safe and wait for assistance than to risk a fall or injury.
Potty
Your team will check if you need help getting to the restroom or using a urinal or bedpan to help you stay comfortable and clean. Don’t hesitate to ask for help getting to the restroom at any time.
Possessions
Your team will make sure you have easy access to personal belongings and items you need, including your phone, call light, remote control, and water.
Pumps
You may have a pump to give you intravenous fluids or medication. If you have any medical pumps, your nurse will check that they are functioning properly and have enough medication. Tell your care team if you have any concerns with a pump or intravenous line.
Keep Notes
If one of your dietary goals includes getting more fruits and vegetables, try eating your vegetables before the rest of your meal. You will fill up and naturally eat less of other foods.
The Whiteboard
To help keep you informed, your care team may write details about your care plan on the whiteboard in your room. These may include your medication and rounding schedule, any planned treatments and tests, and the names of members of your care team.
References:
Tool 3B: Scheduled Rounding Protocol. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Hourly rounding policy. American Nurses Association.
Purposeful Rounding. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.
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