The Purpose Statement
A number of studies have noted that emergency departments of most hospitals around the world have poor patient satisfaction scores. According to Soremekun, Takayesu and Bohan, (2011, p. 668), satisfaction can be viewed as the difference between patients’ perceptions and their expectations”. Olrich, Kalman and Nigolian (2012) acknowledge that hourly rounding is not new, it is only undergoing a resurgence. In the 20th century, nurses commonly rounded on their patients. Currently, hourly rounding on patients by nurses and other hospital staff has reduced markedly due to staff shortages. Olrich, Kalman and Nigolian (2012, p. 23) argue “hourly rounding offers a protocol to delineate actions that result in better patient outcomes”. Other studies have proven that hourly rounding decreases patient call lights usage and improves patient’s satisfaction (Olrich, Kalman & Nigolian, 2012). Patients commonly use call light to attract the attention of hospital staff when they are in need of help.
Based on the findings stated in previous studies, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of emergency department staff hourly rounding on clients’ satisfaction in a pediatric facility. The study is also based on the principle that patients’ satisfaction is influenced by the conduct of hospital staff (in terms of courtesy and communication) during hourly rounds.
Hypothesis
This study will be based in the emergency department of a pediatric facility. A pediatric facility of any given hospital is very important owing to the delicacy of its patients. Patients who seek services from the pediatric department are mainly minors. Thus, they are often accompanied by their parents. In this regard, parents or guardians of the patients (clients) will be the key respondents of the study. On the other hand, patients who will be old enough and willing to provide their views will also be interviewed. This study is based on the following hypotheses:
- Hourly rounding by hospital staff on patients improves patients’ satisfaction.
- Hourly rounding by hospital staff reduces the use of the call light button by patients.
- Patients’ satisfaction is influenced by the conduct of hospital staff (in terms of courtesy and communication) during Hourly rounds.
Research Questions
How frequently did you use the call button?
- Did not use.
- Once in a while.
- Frequently.
- Very frequently.
How do you rate the hospital staff in the following?
Courtesy:
- Worse
- bad
- good
- very good
Paying attention to you and your child’s needs:
- Worse
- bad
- good
- very good
Showing concern with regard to your child’s progress:
- Worse
- bad
- good
- very good
How is the communication process?
- Very poor
- Poor.
- Good.
- Very good.
How well were you informed about delays?
- Very poor
- Poor.
- Good.
- Very good.
How well were you informed about the progress of your child?
- Very poor
- Poor.
- Good.
- Very good.
How well were you informed in terms of test results?
- Very poor
- Poor.
- Good.
- Very good.
What is your overall rating on how the hospital staff communicated to you?
- Very poor
- Poor.
- Good.
- Very good.
What is your overall assessment of your visit to the ED?
- Very poor
- Poor.
- Good.
- Very good.
Are you likely to recommend our ED to others?
- Very unlikely.
- Unlikely.
- Likely.
- Very likely.
The average scores will then be documented as per each individual question and the overall satisfaction.
References
Olrich, T., Kalman, M., and Nigolian, C. (2012). Hourly Rounding: A Replication Study. MedSurg Nursing,21(1), 23-36.
Soremekun, O., Takayesu, J., and Bohan, S. (2011). Framework for Analyzing Wait Times and Other Factors that Impact Patient Satisfaction in the Emergency Department. Journal of Emergency Medicine,41(6), 668-692.