Rounds

[Vito Andolini]

When you do Rounds, what do you look for? What's your specialty? What's your shift?

Some of what I look for:

LOC

If asleep, what position. As I round later, I look for a changed position.

safety issues (call light, Kleenex, water, remote, urinal, bedpan within

reach, bed wheels locked, bed in lowest position)

comfort issues (room temp, blankets, chair comfy, TV positioned properly,

things like that, lights)

supplies TP and towels in restroom?

IV correct and site clear, O2 correct, bandages and their location and condition, tubes and their drainage, VS, diaphoretic, monitors on and alarmed, etc.

The ward itself: fire alarms and door monitors set correctly, exits

locked/blocked/accessible

Are my charts all there?

Are my meds and piggybacks all there?

Are all my staff present?

Is my treatment cart adequately stocked for me and for the nurse who will follow me? Med cart same.

What else?

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

i do a head to toe assessment, (if they're sleeping, i wake them up...it's icu, sleeping or change in loc, can't tell by looking:heartbeat)look at the environment and make sure it's safe. before i leave for the night, i make sure the room is stocked with whatever the next person will need to care for that patient.