Involving patients in hospital ‘rounds’ can curb medical errors, researchers find

Patient “rounds’’ — the crucial daily meetings when doctors and other caregivers determine treatment — often occur in hospital hallways and remote conference rooms.

But a study led by Boston researchers concluded that it’s far safer to do rounds right at the bedside, with the full involvement of patients and families.

Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital and seven other pediatric hospitals found that harmful medical errors fell by 38 percent when they moved rounds into patients’ rooms and implemented strict protocols to involve patients and families in the discussion. They included limiting medical jargon and providing written summaries of treatment plans