Rounds reports: Early experiences of using printed summaries of electronic medical records in a large teaching medical hospital.

Abstract

This article describes the rationale, processes, technology, and results of creating of a paper-based rounds report that is now used by our entire institution for efficient inpatient work rounds and checkout rounds that are routinely done in virtually every hospital, both academic and private, in the US. The results of a survey of clinicians suggests that printed rounds reports have markedly improved rounding efficiency, saved substantial amounts of physician time, standardized checkout processes, and improved patient safety.