In terms of medical protocols, what is the role of an inpatient scribe?

The role of an inpatient scribe is to assist physicians in patient documentation. This includes accurately capturing patient encounters, charting clinical findings, updating medical histories, and ensuring that all pertinent information is recorded in the medical record in a timely and efficient manner. By taking on these documentation responsibilities, scribes allow physicians to focus more on direct patient care, enhancing the overall efficiency of the healthcare team and improving patient outcomes.

Inpatient scribes do not perform surgeries, prescribe medications, or diagnose patients, as these tasks are within the scope of practice for licensed medical professionals such as physicians and advanced practice providers. The primary function of a scribe is to streamline the documentation process, thereby supporting the clinical workflow in a hospital setting.