SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Discharge Planning and Attending Physicians in Interdisciplinary Rounds

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This study evaluated whether adding attending physicians to interdisciplinary rounds improved discharge planning on a 35-bed medical teaching unit at a tertiary care hospital. Beginning in January 2023, attendings joined resident-led rounds with nursing, case management, physical therapy, and pharmacy, but only intervened when care plans or discharge communication were unclear.<br /><br />The team compared outcomes before and after the intervention in 3,985 patients: 1,223 pre-intervention and 2,762 post-intervention, excluding 39 cross-month admissions. They measured length of stay (LOS), number of midnights, and discharge time, and also surveyed 42 team members about perceived changes in discharge coordination and communication.<br /><br />Results showed a significant improvement in efficiency after attending participation began. Mean LOS decreased from 4.44 days to 3.92 days, and mean number of midnights decreased from 4.65 to 4.09. However, median discharge time did not change significantly, remaining around mid-afternoon (15:57 before vs. 15:45 after). Survey responses indicated that most team members felt discharge planning, clarity of the medical plan, and overall communication improved.<br /><br />The authors conclude that attending physician presence in interdisciplinary rounds enhanced discharge planning and shortened hospital stay, even though it did not shift the actual time of discharge. They recommend involving attendings in these rounds to support resident physicians, improve coordination, and better manage increasingly complex inpatient discharges.

Asset Subtitle

Marina Kovacevic

Meta Tag

Author List Alya Ahsan, Ayush Shah, Marina Kovacevic, Rachel Krater, Sylwia Waz

Category Research

Concept Interdisciplinary Rounds

Concept Discharge Planning

Concept Attending Physician

Concept Care Coordination

Concept Length of Stay

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Endeavor Health, Evanston Hospital

Presenting Author Marina Kovacevic

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

attending physicians

interdisciplinary rounds

discharge planning

hospital length of stay

medical teaching unit

tertiary care hospital

resident-led rounds

care coordination

discharge communication

inpatient discharge

Interdisciplinary Rounds

Discharge Planning

Attending Physician

Care Coordination

Length of Stay