Impact of Staff-Led Safety Walk Rounds

: The primary objectives of this study were to provide a venue for discussing safety concerns and to facilitate finding solutions for everyday safety issues. : The multidisciplinary patient safety committee (Team Safety) at Kosair Children’s Hospital began safety rounds in January 2007. Each month, several teams walked through patient care areas and talked to staff. Responses to questions and other comments mentioned during rounds were recorded. Between safety rounds, the Team Safety chairperson met with the Vice President of Clinical Operations to discuss the findings, assign priorities, and develop action plans. : From January 2007 through August 2007, Team Safety members talked with 182 staff from at least 10 disciplines and recorded 79 different concerns; 39 percent of these have been completely or partially resolved. More staff know how to report events and near misses and can describe how the information is used. : Frontline caregivers can conduct effective safety walk rounds.