Integrative Review of the Interventions for Improving Patients’ Experiences Revealed in Quality Improvement Projects

Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care closely linked to hospitals’ reimbursement and reputation. Thus, it is critical to learn about what interventions work for improving HCAHPS. Eight peer-reviewed studies examining nursing-led interventions at improving patient satisfaction in hospitals, measured by the HCAHPS, were identified. Using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program for cohort studies, each study was evaluated for a level of evidence. Interventions that increased HCAHPS were (1) nursing rounds, (2) the use of discharge nurses, (3) follow-up phone calls by nurses, and (4) continuing education for nurses. However, the quality of evidence is low and based on single-site, pre–postdesign studies. Hospital leaders should focus their efforts on a combination of nurse rounding, comprehensive discharge planning to improve patients’ overall experience with hospital care, and their likelihood to recommend the hospital.