5 Reasons to Move from Paper to a Digital Rounding Solution

Meghan Gillespie, Product and Services Lead

Even in this digital world, many organizations are still using paper to complete rounds. Whether it’s EOC, Life Safety, Patient Safety, or Patient Experience, rounding on paper is risky since it is not timely, it is easily lost, and risks exposing confidential data. Here are 5 reasons our customers have found that automating their rounds has benefited their hospital:

1. Time Savings: Pen and paper takes twice as long and the data often gets lost and is unreliable or is illegible. Automated Rounding allows for ease of response, the ability to save when interrupted, and tracks progress to completion. By investing in a solution to help your team save time, they are more likely to adopt and engage.
2. Transparent Communication: A digital solution allows for easier access to data and leads to easier and timely communication. Performing rounds and tracking deficiencies electronically gives all stakeholders the visibility they need in order to stay informed and hold their peers accountable. Our customers have found that transparency with your rounding effort improves both employee and patient satisfaction.
3. Closed Loop Process: Once a deficiency or complaint is detected it needs to be addressed and corrected so that it does not continue to be repeated and discovered as a part of the rounding process. With an automated workflow, an organization can optimize their resources, increase efficiency, and close the loop ensuring issues are corrected and a cycle of continuous improvement has been implemented.
4. Mobility: Often caregivers must go directly to the patient or floor to complete rounds or surveys. This is much more efficient when a mobile rounding application is available. Using laptops, iPads, or smartphones, team members can complete rounds while in the field without the shuffling of papers, without losing data, and without risking personal health information.
5. Measure Performance: Gathering data is important but it is what is done with that data that really drives change. With digital tools to analyze data, managers can determine program effectiveness, identify departments where corrective action is needed, adapt content and schedules as required, and target troubled areas.

There are a number of tools that can help your organization identify the right digital solution for your organization. For more information read our blog on how to select the right tool. And remember, automating the process will help a healthcare organization to not only improve their processes but also improve both patient and employee satisfaction and safety.