title: Laparotomy operative note template constructed through a modified Delphi method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An operative note is indispensable to physician documentation and decision-making; however, there are no accepted standards for operative note content. Our aim was to use a modified Delphi consensus-building method to construct a uniform operative note template for laparotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requirements, literature review, and feedback from 15 medical malpractice defense attorneys, we compiled a draft operative note template of 31 elements. We surveyed 37 Association of Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics/Solvay scholars asking for their input on inclusion of each item as essential content of the operative note.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two iterations of the survey were required to reach a predetermined 75% level of consensus. Nine elements were eliminated from the template: 6 original and 3 expert-suggested elements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We provide an operative note template that was compiled through a Delphi process.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48197, USA. OlearySh@trinity-health.org
authors.forename: Lolonya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Churley-Strom
authors.forename: Bonita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Singal
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Leary
mesh_terms: D003697:Delphi Technique; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D007813:Laparotomy; D008318:Malpractice; D008499:Medical Records / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D009774:Obstetrics; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States