AN ANALYSIS OF MORNING REPORT AT A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL

The purpose of this study was to determine the types of cases resident s select for morning report discussion and the educational value of po stdischarge follow-up of unknown cases. Between April and December of 1994, at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, random, resident, and group-selected patients listed at morning report were followed up throughout hospitalization. Patients were categorize d based upon whether or not their morning report and discharge diagnos es were the same or different. Patients discharged without a diagnosis were followed up by chart review at 6 months to determine whether a d iagnosis had been made. Data were analyzed by Chi-square analysis with Bonfferoni adjustment factor for multiple comparisons, Residents were more than two times more likely to select cases for discussion in whi ch the diagnosis changed during hospitalization (P < 0.01). The 6-mont h follow-up yielded new diagnoses in only 21% of previously unknown ca ses. We concluded that residents do an exceptional job of selecting di fficult diagnostic cases for discussion at morning report. Postdischar ge follow up of unknown cases adds little new information for discussi on at morning report.