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Keywords
Falls, adult inpatient settings, hip fracture, head trauma
Disciplines
Nursing
Description
Falls are a major safety concern in adult inpatient settings, with over 20% of people sustaining moderate-to-severe injuries, such as hip fractures or head trauma (Hicks, 2015). Injuries sustained from falls significantly increase healthcare costs due to prolonged hospital lengths of stay and the utilization of numerous, and often costly, resources (Hicks, 2015). The current standard of nursing care to prevent falls in hospital settings involves ensuring that patients have access to the call light with their belongings within reach. However, even with these prevention interventions, falls are still occurring. Hourly rounding (HR) is the proactive and intentional process whereby a member of the nursing staff performs rounds on every patient every hour to identify and address the patients’ needs (Sun et al., 2020). Implementing HR as an intervention will ensure patient safety and support patients’ needs in their designated environment.
Evidence-based practices consistently demonstratesthat structured hourly rounding reduces patient falls and promotes safety. Sun et al. (2020) shows that incorporating hourly rounding with bedside shift reports reduce fall rates. It’s crucial to include that each patient has their own unique needs therefore ensuring timely attention to patient needs should also be considered. Glineret al. (2021) reported that clear nurse-patient communication, nurse to nurse communication and frequent rounding are associated with a reduction of fall rates. For example, it’s important to walk into patient rooms and ensure their bed alarm is on. If a patient needs or is asking for something specific, it’s crucial to address patient needs by informing their primary nurse. Additionally, Fridman (2019) emphasizes educating nurses on hourly rounding with meaning makes a difference within patient safety. Evaluatingpatient outcomes and satisfaction can help this practice stay up to date. Similarly, Hicks (2015), in an integrative review, concluded that systematic rounding by proactively addressing pain, positioning, toileting and person items in reach reduces fall events. In conclusion, these studies implement the importance of purposeful hourly rounding is a definitive, evidence-based practice for reducing fall rates in hospital care settings.
Publication Date
5-6-2026
Recommended Citation
Enojas Y, Olowniuk L, Ottenbacher T. Hourly rounding to reduce adult fall risk. Presented at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital; 2026 May 6-12; Royal Oak, MI.
Comments
Nurses Week at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, May 6-12, 2026.