The effect of executive walk rounds on nurse safety climate attitudes: a randomized trial of clinical units.
While executive walk rounds (EWRs) vary in application from institution to institution, their use continues to grow as a largely unproven method for improving safety culture. EWRs typically involve a number of executives visiting patient care areas to engage providers and discuss patient safety concerns. This study targeted more than 20 clinical units to determine the impact of EWRs on perceived safety climate using an established survey tool. Results suggested a positive effect on the safety climate attitude of nurses who participated in the rounds. The authors conclude that greater implementation of EWRs may serve as an important tool to improve safety culture and, ultimately, patient safety.