hoitokierros

Hoitokierros is a Finnish term referring to the routine rounds performed by nursing staff and, in many settings, a broader care team to monitor and coordinate patient care. The rounds are typically scheduled visits to patients in hospitals, home care, or long-term care facilities, with the aim of ensuring continuity, safety, and patient involvement in care decisions.

During a hoitokierros the team checks the patient’s condition, administers or documents medications as prescribed, assesses pain, monitors vital signs, and observes changes in wound or treatment status. They also review mobility and falls risk, hygiene and nutrition, hydration, comfort, and psychosocial needs. The rounds usually follow a predefined sequence and rely on checklists and electronic health records to record observations and actions. The process also includes updating the care plan, communicating with physicians and other professionals, and planning next steps such as ongoing treatment or discharge.

Settings and modes vary: hoitokierros can be conducted in hospital wards, in home care, and in long-term care facilities. Rounds may be led by nurses alone or include physicians, pharmacists, and other professionals. In modern practice, patient and family involvement is increasingly emphasized, with explanations of plans and care instructions provided during rounds.

Benefits of hoitokierros include improved patient safety, timely treatment, better symptom management, and smoother care coordination. Challenges can include time constraints, staffing levels, and the need for consistent documentation and standardization across settings. See also: patient safety, nursing rounds, care planning.