Frustration with inefficient, inconsistent gastroenterology sign-off processes prompted clinicians at Northwestern Medicine to redesign how GI consult recommendations are communicated at discharge—resulting in measurable gains in provider satisfaction and workflow efficiency.
By replacing ad hoc paging and variable consult notes with a standardized GI sign-off form, the team aimed to reduce ambiguity, minimize back-and-forth communication, and improve continuity of care as patients and providers transition.
To determine what information mattered most, the GI team partnered closely with primary care colleagues, ensuring the final template emphasized clarity, actionability, and relevance. The resulting formal sign-off form consolidated key clinical details, recommendations, follow-up needs, and contingency guidance into a single, structured handoff document—designed to be easily interpreted by busy inpatient teams.