Analysis of a computerized sign-out tool: identification of unanticipated uses and contradictory content

A computerized tool designed to facilitate physician sign-out has been in use at Vanderbilt University Hospital and Children's Hospital for close to a decade. The authors produced descriptive statistics of sign-out tool use by hospital unit, user's professional role, and time of day. Results showed anticipated use by resident physicians and nurse practitioners to generate and print notes, as well as unanticipated use by nurses, case managers, and medical receptionists/care partners to print providers' notes. Additionally, the authors categorized the content of sign-out notes having possible discrepancies and identified contradictory content. Findings have implications for workflow and redesign of the sign-out tool.