The authors report their experience with a 12-item checklist used to
score need for hospitalization. The checklist was filled in and scored by
research assistants who reviewed the charts of 100 hospitalized and 50
nonhospitalized patients. A written opinion of a senior clinical consultant
was available for hospitalized patients whose charts were rated low in need
for hospitalization and for nonhospitalized patients whose charts were
rated high. The checklist scores differentiated the two groups of patients.
The authors can conclude that the checklist can be a valuable tool in a
review process that culminates in review by an experienced clinician.Abstract Teaser