Making Patients Part of the Team Helps Hospital Cut LOS, Boost HCAHPS Scores.

Length of stay dropped and patient satisfaction rose when Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta began holding Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds (SIBR). The rounds are held daily, last about an hour, and are attended by physicians, nurses, case managers, pharmacists, and other disciplines providing care for the patients. As team members discuss the patient's condition, the care plan, and discharge needs, they encourage the patient and family to give their input. Initially, the team members were concerned about finding the time for the rounds, but they report the rounds save time by bringing the team together and eliminating phone calls and trying to track other clinicians down.