Improving Efficiency Using Electronic Medical Record Rounding Report & Sign-Out Report

Introduction: Standardized rounding and sign-out reports can improve provider efficiency and satisfaction. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate implementing an electronic medical record-integrated neonatal intensive care unit-specific rounding report and sign-out report on provider efficiency and satisfaction. Method: A pre- and post-quality improvement project was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of standardized electronic rounding and sign-out reports on a 48-bed level-4 neonatal intensive care unit staffed daily by two neonatologists and four advanced practice providers. Results: The electronic rounding and sign-out reports were implemented on 745 patient encounters. The process of using the electronic rounding report was found to be faster than the paper prerounding report. Completing the standardized sign-out report was faster than the previous method used. Discussion: Improving efficiency is essential for optimizing patient care and improving provider satisfaction. Electronic rounding and standardized sign-out reports can improve efficiency and provider satisfaction.