Whether a hospital stay is planned or unexpected, it likely involves questions, answers, test results and waiting, all of which have the possibility of producing anxiety or frustrations.

To allay those trepidations and increase communication between patients and health care providers, UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center uses a practice called patient rounding to enhance a patient’s hospital experience and respond to questions and concerns.

“Patient rounding is a chance for hospital leadership to check on patients with active and empathetic listening,” said Georgie Weber, a registered nurse and permanent charge nurse at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. “We encourage dialog to improve patient care.”

The practice is more than just a routine check-in – it’s a systematic approach to meeting patient needs quickly and more efficiently.

“We strive for excellent care, and we can improve that by communicating with patients, understanding their feelings and emotions, helping to set realistic expectations and explaining things they might not understand,” said Weber.

What is the goal of patient rounding?

So how does patient rounding work? According to Weber, patient rounding usually involves a leader from the nursing staff or another department checking in on patients during their stay. The patient may receive a visit from the charge nurse, a nursing manager or even the chief nursing officer, or it could be a leader from a different patient care area.

Patients may not realize they are being rounded on as the conversations can often become integrated in the delivery of care.

“With rounding, our goal is a face-to-face interaction with the patients on our units where we talk with them and their families. We ask, ‘How are things going with your care? Are there specific concerns or questions we can help with?'”

In her position, Weber typically hears a lot of praise for YVMC’s nursing staff and the care provided at the hospital. When concerns do surface, they might be related to the time it takes for lab tests or imaging results to come back, or diagnosis and treatment plans. Timing can be impacted by not only the type of test, but the number and acuity of patients in the facility at the time.

“Often, people just need you to sit down and be present, to listen to them and let them know that you will pass along any questions they have to their provider,” said Weber. “If we can do something for them quickly and give their question or concern to someone right away, they often feel more at ease and see we are taking active steps in their care.”

How can patients improve their own hospital experience?

Patients can participate in their care by making sure their health care team is aware of not only what is working during their stay, but also any immediate concerns they may have. This helps staff better manage patient expectations while advocating on their behalf.

Whether in the hospital or at a routine appointment, it’s helpful to make a list of health priorities and any related questions. This practice helps keep those involved on the same page and working toward the same health priorities.

Patients can bring family members or a trusted friend with them for support. This person can serve as an extra set of ears during conversations, learn discharge instructions, write down information that is shared and further advocate for the patient’s needs and desires. There are also case workers and social workers available as resources.

UCHealth utilizes a robust electronic medical record and encourages patients to download the UCHealth app so patients can view their medical record. In the app, patients will have access to their inpatient and outpatient records, visit summaries, follow-up instructions and prescriptions. A print-out of the information is also available prior to discharge.

During stressful times or a traumatic event, support of the patient from every angle is key.

“We understand a hospital stay can be a vulnerable time and can cause anxiety, so having someone sit down and listen can help patients,” said Weber. “Having a new face to visit with and knowing that person is helping work toward the best possible outcome for you can be reassuring. We pride ourselves on patients first. We’re here to work together with you, as a team, for your health.”

Mary Gay Broderick writes for UCHealth. She can be reached at marygaybroderick@comcast.net.