You probably know what a medical scribe does in general, but what about the scribes in particular types of medical facilities? Depending on where they work, their duties might slightly differ. Therefore, in this article, we will look into one particular type of healthcare workplace. What does a scribe do in a hospital? Read on to find out!
The Role of Scribes in Hospitals
Before we answer what a scribe does in a hospital, let’s slow down a little bit and discuss the role of medical scribes in this particular type of medical facility.
In hospitals, the most complex care is carried out. This means that the importance of diagnosing, testing, and proper treatment is higher than in a clinic, while the pace is often significantly quicker. A medical scribe plays a pivotal role in all of that: they ensure that the facility does not fall into chaos and that all the patients get the best possible treatment.
Accurate, up-to-date documentation is the key to proper diagnoses. All the information about the patients needs to be in the records, especially when it comes to those with more complex conditions. And, what does a scribe do in a hospital? Make sure that it is so.
What Does a Scribe Do in a Hospital?
If you desire to become a medical scribe, you need to know what exactly a scribe does in a hospital. For this case, we prepared a list of the most common duties that hospital scribes usually perform.
- Shadowing a physician – In most cases, hospital scribes work with a particular physician throughout their whole shift.
- Documenting physician’s work – Medical scribes in hospitals document not only the examination and history of illnesses of a patient but also the results of tests and the time of patient-related activities, namely:
- physician-physician communication
- re-examination
- patient’s communication with the family
- Reviewing patients’ charts – Helping the physician review the documentation on particular patients, to spot delays and other care-related issues.
- Developing patient tracking systems – Patient tracking is a critical aspect nowadays. When introduced, it can increase the efficiency of a medical facility significantly. Scribes, as those responsible for documentation, actively participate in developing such systems.
Is Becoming a Medical Scribe at a Hospital Worth It?
So, you know what a scribe does in a hospital, but is it worth it, or should you opt for a clinic? Well, it depends on what kind of experience you wish to get.
Being a medical scribe is hard in hospitals, especially if you operate in the emergency section. There is something happening at all times, and you’re in a constant rush, but what you get is an extremely valuable experience – seeing with your own eyes how physicians deal with the most complex cases. In clinics, it’s a bit easier since there are not as many patients and they usually come with less severe conditions, but the knowledge that you get is not as exciting.
The Takeaway
What do scribes do in hospitals? They manage documentation and shadow physicians recording all care-related behaviors. It is thanks to them that chaos doesn’t disrupt the natural flow of patients in hospitals. The work might be challenging, but the experience you’ll get is worth it, thus do not hesitate to opt for a hospital instead of a clinic.
Did you like this article? Then you should also read: Do Medical Scribes Wear Scrubs?
