FAMILY ENGAGEMENT / FEATURE strengths in their care and identify positive interactions with their health care team. The service round team shares that positive feedback with nursing management, who disseminates it to the involved team members directly or in team meetings. Empowering families Weekly service rounds allow staff to supplement any patient care directives identified by the medical team or unit leaders to maximize patient and family care delivery. This may include reiterating or explaining unit guidelines, repeating care expectations or identifying psychosocial support needs. Service delivery is improved by addressing patient-family needs prior to the escalation of emotions. In addition, patients and families feel empowered and have an increased feeling of control over medical care when they participate in service rounds. Hospitalized patients often feel some loss of control. Participating in service rounds increases a patient's and family's level of control and empowers them to participate in their overall health care. This empowerment occurs when patients and families play a more active role in identifying problems, improving care and building relationships. Family issues may include problems related to food quality and environmental issues to issues related to direct patient care, medical communication and overall quality of service. While each concern deserves equal A CLOSER LOOK Who's who on the team At University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, team members who participate in service rounds say the time commitment of participating is less than that of daily complaint responses or issue resolution. Here are the roles of the participants: UNIT NURSE MANAGER Addresses nursing concerns and issues, serves as a spokesperson for unit guidelines and care expectations. SOCIAL WORKER Serves as a resource for program referral, emotional support and discharge planning. PATIENT CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST REPRESENTATIVE Assists in managing concerns and communicating outcomes. Provides expertise in helping with coping skills and strategies for the pediatric patient. CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS TODAY Winter 2022 27