Structure and outcomes of interdisciplinary rounds in hospitalized medicine patients: a systematic review and suggested taxonomy.

Interdisciplinary rounds, in which physicians and other team members jointly discuss hospitalized patients, are thought to enhance communication among providers and thus augment safety. This systematic review found wide variation in rounding activities and the composition of interdisciplinary rounding teams. The data generally suggest that interdisciplinary rounds can shorten the length of hospital stay. The authors suggest that further studies should explore which features of interdisciplinary rounds are needed to promote patient safety.