Influencing Factors and Participation in Ward Rounds for Geriatric Patients: A Descriptive Study Including Practical Guide for Optimization

The ward round is an essential part of a hospital stay; however, there are no practical recommendations aimed at optimizing geriatric patient participation. The aim of our study was to describe such rounds in detail, assess patient satisfaction, quantify interruptions, and increase patient activity. Ward rounds were observed over a period of 2 months, with data being collected from 97 patients across 366 individual visits, and 58 patients being given a pad and pen to make notes in preparation. The average duration of each patient visit was 4 minutes 8 seconds, and 70.4% of them were disrupted in some way. Physicians addressed five topics per visit, while patients mentioned two on average, and 17.2% of the patients used a pad and pen. Our findings suggest that disruptions can be easily reduced. Pads and pens, however, are hardly used.