Hourly rounding is an evidence-base; systematic practice used by nurses and nurse's aide to meet patient's needs, improve safety outcomes, increase patient comfort and satisfaction and reduces the number of call lights. Specifically every 1-2 hours a patient is visited by a nurse. During that time the nurse completes any scheduled procedures such a dressing change or administering medication, and checks the patient's personal needs, position, and pain level which are the most frequent reasons the patients use the call light. The nurse also assesses the environment, assuring that the call light and personal items are within reach, equipment is safely positioned and any bed or chair alarms are activated if indicated. This is not a separate or new practice, but allows nurses to be more efficient by grouping activities. Nurses who make rounds every hour not only reassure their patients, but they also save themselves time and energy by reducing call light use.
