Design and validation of the surgical ward round assessment tool: a quantitative observational study

Abstract Background Ward round skills are essential for the best management of surgical inpatients, but assessment of their quality has received inadequate attention. This study aims to design and validate the surgical ward round assessment tool (SWAT). Methods We used modified Healthcare Failure Mode and Effects Analysis to develop the SWAT by identifying ward round steps. We assessed the validity of the SWAT using simulated and real surgical ward rounds. Results The Healthcare Failure Mode and Effects Analysis identified 30 ward round steps that were developed into the SWAT. Nineteen surgeons completed simulated surgical ward rounds. Eight fully trained surgeons scored significantly higher than 11 trainee surgeons when assessed with the SWAT ( P = .001). On average, the participants thought the realism of the simulation was good. Forty-four surgeons completed real surgical ward rounds. Fifteen experts scored significantly higher than 29 trainee surgeons when assessed with SWAT ( P = .001). Inter-rater reliability was .85 to .89, respectively. Conclusions The SWAT can be used to assess the quality of task-based and nontechnical surgical ward round skills.