Evaluating the Sustained Impact of a Virtual Rounding Queue Software on Family-Centered Rounding

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Family-centered rounds improve communication, safety, and satisfaction, but implementation efforts have fallen short. A pilot study using a novel virtual rounding software, Q-rounds, demonstrated improved stakeholder participation. This study assessed sustainability and adaptability across time and rounding models. We hypothesized sustained improvement in family and nursing engagement without prolonging rounding time. METHODS This pre-post observational study was performed 2 years after Q-rounds implementation in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. Rounding encounters were observed for a table-rounding team and a walk-rounding team. Data were collected on nurse and family presence, mode of attendance, and rounding duration. Between-group comparisons were made to assess adaptability. To assess sustainability, longitudinal comparisons were made between the contemporary table-rounding cohort and 2 historical table-rounding cohorts, before and 6 weeks after Q-rounds implementation. RESULTS Family presence during rounds remained elevated at 54% at 2 years relative to 18% pre-implementation (P < 0.001) driven by virtual participation. Nurse presence for the entirety of rounds remained considerably higher at 55% at 2 years relative to 12% pre-implementation (P < 0.001). Rounding duration remained similar. The 2 contemporary cohorts (table-rounding and walk-rounding) demonstrated similar family presence (54% vs 58%, P = 0.39), but the walk-rounding cohort demonstrated higher in-person family attendance (51% vs 32%, P = 0.007) and a higher proportion of nurses present for the entirety of rounds (81% vs 55%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A virtual rounding queue software was associated with sustained improvements in family and nurse engagement without prolonging rounds with positive results in 2 distinct rounding contexts.