Implementation of Bedside Notes

To improve parent understanding, a growing number of hospitals, including American Family Children’s Hospital, use inpatient portals – web-based applications provided on hospital tablet computers that give parents access to real-time clinical information during their child’s hospital stay. These portals could also provide parents with access to doctors’ daily notes, which detail their child’s diagnoses, treatment and contingency plans. While preliminary data show parents want access to inpatient doctors’ notes, knowledge gaps exist regarding the benefits, risks, and strategies to most effectively share notes to improve their understanding of their child’s care plan.