Using a computerized sign-out system to improve physician-nurse communication.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare communication
• Medical informatics
• Nursing practice

Background:

• Communication failures among healthcare workers contribute to patient harm.
• An electronic sign-out system was implemented for internal medicine residents to improve information transfer.
• A pilot study assessed the benefits of providing nurses access to this electronic sign-out data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of electronic sign-out data access for inpatient nurses.
• To determine if the system improved patient information transfer and nursing workflow.
• To assess effects on nurse understanding, communication, and morale.

Main Methods:

• Nursing staff were granted electronic access to resident sign-out information.
• Nurses received shift-based printouts of the electronic sign-outs.
• Nurses were instructed to use the sign-out data for care planning and shift reporting.

Main Results:

• 19 out of 20 surveyed nurses reported positive effects on patient care ability.
• The system enhanced nurses' understanding of patient reasons for admission.
• Improved physician-nurse communication and increased nursing morale were observed.

Conclusions:

• Integrating an electronic housestaff sign-out system into nursing workflow offers significant benefits.
• The system effectively facilitates the transfer of crucial patient information from residents to nurses.
• This technology enhances patient care quality and interprofessional collaboration.