Walking Interdisciplinary Rounds

[vp178300]

Our professional council is working to roll out walking interdisciplinary rounds. We have been getting pushback from the hospitalists as they feel it is too time consuming to go into each room, introduce everyone, get report from the nurse and then get the all disciplines involved. We are striving to have patient involvement in this process, hence doing it bedside. I would love some feedback as to what everyone is doing and what is working/not working?

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

When you say "interdisciplinary rounds" are you meaning the primary nurse, the attending, and the case manager plus possibly social worker? If so, I think it is a good idea given that these are the primary movers and doers for the patient who get the patient through the system and out the door in a timely fashion. If you mean others (ancillary departments, such as radiology, respiratory, etc), I agree with the hospitalists. Too many people present at walking-rounds who will not play an active role in coordinating care will only serve to confuse the situation and/or the patient/family. Just my thoughts... Good luck. :)

[ICU_JOSIE, MSN, RN]

I think that is a great move, we do our rounding on weekdays. Our RNs in our unit have a list of things to say during rounds and this lets everyone in the IDT (Interdisciplinary Team) know about the patient's progress or plan of care. It's also a good time for RNs to raise any concerns about the patient. In the ICU we have the Attending, Fellow, Social Worker, Case Manager, Chaplain and the Charge Nurse involved in the IDR (Interdisciplinary Rounds).

[toomuchbaloney]

I believe that any time a team can "huddle" to have even a very brief collaboration about the status of the patient and the plan for care it is of benefit.

I also agree that the team members participating in this type of rounds MUST be small and quick, there is no time for ego driven posturing or drawn out narratives. MD/RN/MSW or Case Manager sounds like a beautiful place to start.