Qualitative Evaluation of Intentional Rounding for Fall Prevention in Medical-Surgical Nursing Care
Abstract
<h2>Cover Page</h2> <p>Qualitative Evaluation of Intentional Rounding for Fall Prevention in Medical-Surgical Nursing Care</p> <p>Student</p> <p>Institution Affiliation</p> <p>Course Name</p> <p>Professor</p> <p>Date</p> <h2>Critical Review of Qualitative Evidence on Intentional Rounding in Nursing Practice</h2> <p>Preventing patient falls remains a significant priority within medical-surgical units, particularly during nighttime hours when patients frequently require assistance and staffing levels are often reduced. Building upon discussions surrounding hourly rounding practices, this review examines a qualitative study conducted by Francis et al. (2019) that explored nurses’ experiences and perceptions of intentional rounding within acute care environments. The purpose of the study was to understand how nurses view intentional rounding as a strategy for enhancing patient safety and improving care delivery. Specifically, the research sought to determine whether nurses perceive rounding as an effective approach for reducing falls and addressing patient needs.</p> <h2>Research Design and Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Nursing Research</h2> <p>The study involved registered nurses employed in acute hospital settings. Researchers adopted a qualitative descriptive design and collected data through semi-structured interviews that allowed participants to share detailed experiences and perspectives. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to identify recurring patterns and themes across participant responses. Ethical requirements were appropriately addressed through Institutional Review Board approval and the acquisition of informed consent from all participants, demonstrating compliance with established standards for human subject research.</p> <h2>Analysis of Findings and Implications for Patient Safety</h2> <p>The findings indicated that nurses generally viewed intentional rounding as an effective intervention for preventing patient falls, particularly when guided by the “4 P’s” framework: pain, potty, position, and possessions. Participants believed that proactive patient engagement improved safety and responsiveness to patient needs. However, several barriers limited consistent implementation, including staffing shortages, competing clinical priorities, and extensive documentation requirements.</p> <p>The study was limited by its reliance on self-reported experiences and its focus on a single healthcare setting, which may reduce the generalizability of the findings. Despite these limitations, the authors concluded that intentional rounding can strengthen patient safety and communication when applied consistently. The study contributes valuable insight into evidence-based nursing practice by emphasizing the importance of frontline nursing perspectives. As noted by Nieswiadomy and Bailey (2017), qualitative research provides a deeper understanding of the experiences, meanings, and contextual factors that influence nursing care, offering perspectives that quantitative data alone cannot capture.</p>