Study: High-risk rounding reduces hospital-acquired infections

A Colorado hospital that conducted rounds on critically ill children at the highest risk for developing hospital-acquired infections lowered their rate by nearly 50%, a study published in Critical Care Nurse found. Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora decreased the average rate of hospital-acquired infections in its pediatric intensive care unit from 5.41 to 2.89 events for 1,000 patient days after adopting high-risk rounding. The article describes the criteria for patients at high risk and includes a template script to spur dialogue with direct care nurses. It also includes examples of specific interventions performed during the rounds, as well as practice gaps and opportunities for improvement. (Newswise news release, 1/26/26)