Laura Woodson suggested at a OB Unit Council (UC) meeting the idea of structured evening rounds to strengthen communication between patients and staff. From there, leadership was shared: Lorie Seruntine, RN, Staff Nurse II, guided the initiative for the UC, while Catie Maddix, MSN, RN, RNC-MNN, OB Manager and McLean, MD, for OB Provider team.

The purpose of the project was clear — to improve internal care team reporting processes, reduce gaps in patient care plans, and ensure patients receive consistent, transparent information about their treatment. Communication breakdowns often led to confusion at the bedside, and this project aimed to close those gaps.

The structure was simple but impactful. At 10 p.m. each night, the OB team, including residents or attending physicians, joined evening nurses on both units to review patient progress and any updates to the plan of care. Currently, the OB team, RNs, and ANMs participate, with plans to include Lactation and Pediatrics in the future. A six-month re-evaluation was built into the design to ensure sustainability and adaptability.

The project began in June 2025 with two PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycles to test feasibility and refine the process. By October 2025, evening rounds became a routine part of clinical practice. Through collaboration with Winta, we gained valuable insights into the PDSA process and the importance of detailed planning and rollout strategies. One of the biggest lessons learned was that how a change is introduced to staff is nearly as important as the change itself.

While care experience metrics have not yet shown measurable improvement, verbal feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Nurses and physicians consistently report that evening rounds are a “value add” rather than a drain on time or energy. The initiative has already strengthened communication among bedside RNs, management, and the physician team. It is also one piece of a broader set of projects aimed at improving communication processes to enhance patient care coordination.

The OB Evening Rounds project demonstrates how small, intentional changes in workflow can foster stronger teamwork and lay the foundation for better patient outcomes.