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Problem statement: Interdisciplinary rounds are in the best interest of patients. Poor communication among staff is a root cause of many patient adverse and sentinel events. Communication among disciplines can be improved if viewed through the eyes of an objective observer.
What are observational rounds? Observational rounds are a teamwork and communication tool to objectively assess and improve teamwork dynamics across and between disciplines, identify areas where communication can be more concise and relevant in setting daily patient goals, and provide a method to continually improve communication skills.
Purpose of tool: This tool provides a structured approach for improving teamwork and communication behaviors that would otherwise bring down staff morale and patient care delivery across and between disciplines.
Who should use this tool?
How to use this tool: Complete the form while observing patient care rounds. Discuss your findings with the multidisciplinary team at the end of rounds. You may use this form for one patient or the entire unit. Leading questions and prompts encourage teamwork and communication assessment from a broad perspective.
If yes, by whom? Within which practice domain (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dietary, respiratory)?
If yes, which team members spoke up?
Patient Room and Bed Number |
Patient System, Goal Not Addressed |
---|---|
Below is a framework to help review your findings with members of the team. Based on your observations and the preceding questions, list any teamwork and communication problems you identified during the course of patient rounds.
Problem | Team Members Affected |
Patient Care Not Addressed |
Suggestions for Improvement |
---|---|---|---|
Current as of August 2012
Internet Citation:
Observing Patient Care Rounds. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/cusptoolkit/8cusptools/obsrounds.htm