I was flabbergasted after reading "Effects of Nursing Rounds on Patients' Call Light Use, Satisfaction, and Safety" (Original Research, September 2006). When I attended my first nursing program (class of 1977), we watched a film in which regular rounds cut back on the number of times the patient used her call light. She was anxious and was comforted by knowing that the nurse would be coming at regular intervals. The film reinforced the notion that a little extra attention can decrease nurses' work. Maybe today's nursing is more high tech, but the basics remain the same. Making rounds immediately after report and making sure all of the actions listed in the table are performed (which takes about two minutes) would make the rest of the shift a lot easier and the patient satisfaction much greater.

Darlene Elliott, MSN, CFNP

Los Lunas, NM

As the director of nursing at Wright Medical Center, I wanted to thank you for publishing such a wonderful and well-researched article. Immediately after a presentation by Lyn Ketelsen at our hospital, we implemented the call light reduction plan. Since then we have reduced the number of call light calls by 72%, had no skin-breakdown issues, had one or less fall a month with an average daily census of 20 patients, and had 92% compliance. We have also been rated in the 99th percentile on the Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey for the past two years. Making hourly rounds with a purpose saves time, reduces call light use, and increases patient and employee satisfaction.

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Tiffini Mericle, RN, DON

Clarion, IA