Checklist interventions enhance hospital ward rounds and patient outcomes

A systematic review of 84 studies revealed that checklist interventions significantly reduced ICU length of stay and improved documentation without extending ward round duration. In contrast, structured interventions did not impact patient length of stay or 30-day readmission rates. This evidence synthesis, which included over 43,000 patients across 18 countries and 23 specialties, presents the first comprehensive meta-analysis of ward round enhancements, suggesting that incorporating checklists can optimize patient care.