Abstract Rationale Daily goal sheets and checklists offer a structured and systematic approach to patient care, enhancing the clinical team’s ability to identify and address potential safety issues proactively. Evidence from intensive care and pediatric oncology settings has shown that implementing such tools leads to a significant reduction in errors and near-miss events, while also improving interdisciplinary communication and the consistency of care delivery. Recognizing these benefits, professional organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine endorse the use of checklists as effective strategies to minimize omissions, standardize clinical practices, and identify latent safety threats. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study over a 12-day period during morning rounds to evaluate the role of daily goal sheets in reducing near-miss events. A structured daily goal sheet was utilized, encompassing key patient care parameters such as pain regimen, blood pressure, blood glucose monitoring, steroid management, antibiotic regimen, fluid status, and DVT prophylaxis. During rounds, the attending physician reviewed these criteria collaboratively with residents and interns for each patient. Each parameter was discussed in the context of the patient’s clinical condition to verify that appropriate actions had been taken. If any of these aspects of care were overlooked, it was recorded as a near miss, while items deemed irrelevant to a patient’s clinical condition were marked as not applicable. Results During the 12-day course of the study period, from January 20 to January 31, the near-miss rate per patient dropped sharply within the first 72 hours of introducing the daily goal sheet—falling from 1.25 on Day 1 to 0.4 on Day 3. From Day 4 onward (January 23-31), the rate fluctuated slightly from day to day but remained relatively stable, showing a sustained improvement compared with the baseline. Conclusion The implementation of a structured daily goal sheet during morning rounds significantly reduced near-miss events by enhancing vigilance, communication, and accountability among trainees. This low-cost tool promoted real-time identification of potential oversights, reinforced key care priorities, and fostered a stronger culture of safety in patient care. This abstract is funded by: None
Barua et al. (2026) studied this question.