Emergency department board rounds: are they worthwhile?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether daily board rounds in the emergency department (ED) alter patient management and whether they provide educational opportunities.


METHODS
A prospective observational study of board rounds conducted in a small to medium-sized ED in the United Kingdom. Data were collected on changes made and educational events that took place.


RESULTS
Data were collected on 120 board rounds (984 patients). 5.8% of patients had a clinical change made. 12% of board rounds led to a significant change in at least one of investigation, treatment or disposition. 2% of board rounds led to a change in diagnosis. In 30% of board rounds teaching events took place.


CONCLUSIONS
Regular conduct of board rounds in a medium-sized UK ED is worthwhile and provides an additional teaching opportunity for juniors.
Chitnis
J
J
Emergency Department, Poole Hospital, Longfleet Road, Poole BH15 2JB, UK. drchitnis@aol.com
Cumberbatch
G L A
GL
Thomas
P W
PW
D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration