Physician-Nurse Rounding

We rounded not only with the Dr/nurse, but also pharmacist, social worker, dietician and I think physical therapy as well. Every morning at around the same time, all of us would discuss issues that pertained to the speciality. The rounds helped all of us gain important information about the patient so we could work as a group to improve the patient's care. All of the nurses found this very benificial and rewarding. The problems were, Dr.s ready to round and one of the team was not able to attend, or all of the other disciplines were ready but the Dr. was called away as he/she covered the ER admissions as well. All in all, I thought it was great. I feel there were less calls made to the Dr. after he left the ICU, in regards to orders that were not written, or already addressed. I felt like we were more of a team, and the time allowed for open discussion instead of being afraid to interupt a Dr. while he was trying to take care of another patient.

If your hospital is looking into rounding, I highly recommend it. I wish the Internal med docs that we have now would be more receptive to it. I hate feeling like I am just the task person when in fact I may have information for the Dr. that will help the patient.