Evaluation of Purposeful Rounding On Patient Fall

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of routine purposeful rounding on the total number of falls on a medical unit in an acute care hospital. The project was prompted by high fall rates within the hospital and the implementation of the purposeful rounding initiative. Staff training was provided in a two hour educational class which covered the purpose for the initiative as well as the specific functions that must be performed with each round. To evaluate the effectiveness of purposeful rounding on patient falls, pre and post rounding fall rates were compared. These initial results were disappointing as there was not a significant decrease in the total number patient falls. It is felt that the bedside staff needs to embrace the rounding project as common practice and incorporate it into their everyday activities on a routine basis.