Date of Graduation
Fall 12-2021
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
College/School
School of Nursing and Health Professions
Department/Program
Nursing
Program
Executive Leader DNP
First Advisor
Dr. D'Alfonso
Second Advisor
Dr. Buccheri
Abstract
Aims: This paper describes the design of a purposeful nurse hourly rounding pilot to decrease the incidence of patient falls on a COVID-19 designated unit in an acute hospital setting.
Background: Falls in acute care hospitals are a persistent patient safety problem. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to concerns to safely care for high-risk COVID patients while mitigating the risk of infection for frontline staff.
Methods: A PNHR pilot project was designed for implementation in a 28-bed COVID-19 designated unit in a not-for-profit acute hospital in California. A modified PNHR rounding tool guides focus points for every nurse/patient interaction. Pre- and post-implementation surveys are used to obtain feedback from the frontline staff.
Results: The pilot is in an early stage of implementation with data not yet available. Pre-implementation survey data indicate increased stress and anxiety from frontline staff.
Conclusion: It is anticipated that an active focus on patient safety and a united approach by the entire care team will decrease the incidence of patient falls on a COVID-19 acute nursing unit.
Implications for Nursing Management: This paper describes how the psychological and safety needs of the frontline staff are addressed in the design of a protocol to reduce patient falls.
Recommended Citation
Masangkay, Robbie, "Purposeful Nurse Hourly Rounding: A Plan To Decrease Patient Falls During a Pandemic" (2021). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects. 237.
https://repository.usfca.edu/dnp/237
