The Impact of Employee Engagement and Structured Rounding on Patient Satisfaction in a Post-Surgical Unit

Abstract

Employee engagement and leadership presence are essential components of high-quality patient care, yet many acute care settings struggles to translate these concepts into measurable outcomes. This quality improvement initiative examined the impact of structured leadership rounding, interdisciplinary collaboration, and intentional staff engagement strategies on patient satisfaction within a high-acuity post-surgical unit. Over a 12-month period, interventions included implementation of a standardized rounding tool, Daily Interdisciplinary Rounds (IDR), and targeted employee engagement practices. Results demonstrated a significant increase in patient satisfaction scores from below 60% to above 90%, alongside improved staff accountability, communication, and interdisciplinary coordination. These findings reinforce the critical role of engaged leadership and structured processes in enhancing patient experience and achieving sustainable quality outcomes.