SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Optimizing Workflows to Facilitate Interdisciplinary Joint Rounds on Geographically Localized Adult Inpatient Services

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This study examined whether tailored workflow changes could improve structured interdisciplinary bedside rounding (SIBR) on geographically localized adult inpatient hospitalist services at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.<br /><br />SIBR, which includes the primary provider and bedside nurse rounding together, is known to improve communication, patient satisfaction, and reduce errors, but it can be difficult to implement consistently. After geographic localization was introduced in 2022, the team identified barriers through staff surveys in spring 2025 and designed targeted interventions. These included presenting recommendations at monthly physician faculty meetings, sending pre-service email reminders for eight weeks, and asking nursing managers to provide regular education to bedside nurses.<br /><br />The study assessed primary outcomes using HCAHPS scores for Likelihood to Recommend and Physician Communication. Secondary outcomes included patient perceptions of SIBR and physician survey responses. Physician ratings before and after the service changes were compared using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test.<br /><br />Results showed no significant overall change in HCAHPS scores during the intervention period. However, patients who said interdisciplinary bedside rounds were helpful reported significantly better likelihood-to-recommend scores and better RN/MD communication ratings. Physician surveys had response rates of 48% pre-intervention and 43% post-intervention, showing a positive trend but without statistical significance (p-values ranged from 0.06 to 0.26). Physicians reported a neutral-to-positive change in ease of contacting nursing.<br /><br />The authors noted limitations including low HCAHPS return rates, incomplete rounding completion data, and limited statistical power. Next steps include improving HCAHPS response rates and implementing a real-time location system.<br /><br />Overall, the study suggests that workflow changes tailored to physician and nursing needs may improve the feasibility and effectiveness of joint rounding.

Asset Subtitle

Sharon S. Clark

Meta Tag

Author List Philip Huang, Sharon S. Clark

Category Innovations

Concept Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds

Concept Joint Rounding

Concept Patient Communication

Concept Patient Satisfaction

Concept Clinical Error

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Presenting Author Sharon S. Clark

Track Communication

Keywords

structured interdisciplinary bedside rounding

SIBR

workflow changes

hospitalist services

geographic localization

HCAHPS scores

physician communication

patient satisfaction

interdisciplinary rounding

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds

Joint Rounding

Patient Communication

Patient Satisfaction

Clinical Error