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.