Hospital Huddles Boost Diagnosis, Discharge Speed

Study finds structured team meetings can speed up care without sacrificing quality

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:14am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new study from FIU Business found that brief, structured team meetings among hospital staff, known as progression-of-care huddles, can significantly speed up diagnosis and discharge times for patients requiring complex care coordination. The research showed that regular huddles reduced diagnostic decision time by 14% and cut discharge time by nearly 40%, without increasing 30-day hospital readmissions, a key measure of care quality.

Why it matters

The fast-paced, high-pressure environment of emergency departments is a real challenge for hospitals, as they strive to diagnose patients quickly and move them safely through care under intense time pressure. This study highlights how improving team coordination through structured meetings can deliver meaningful gains in both efficiency and quality of patient care, which is crucial as hospitals face growing demand and resource constraints.

The details

The study, led by Paulo Gomes, an associate professor at FIU Business, analyzed nearly 6,800 patient cases over a 14-month period in a hospital clinical decision unit. It compared performance before and after the implementation of short, interdisciplinary meetings involving physicians, nurses, social workers and care coordinators. The researchers found that these 15-minute huddles, held throughout the day, allowed staff to review each patient's status, discuss pending tests or consultations, and identify obstacles that could delay treatment or discharge. This improved information sharing and created a shared understanding of each patient's condition, helping clinicians reach diagnoses faster.

  • The study analyzed patient cases over a 14-month period.

The players

Paulo Gomes

An associate professor of information systems and business analytics at FIU Business, who led the research.

FIU Business

The business school at Florida International University, where the research was conducted.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In healthcare, safety and quality are always the priority. What we found is that the process becomes faster without sacrificing quality.”

— Paulo Gomes, Associate Professor, FIU Business

“Huddles are particularly valuable when tasks are not routine. When uncertainty is high, bringing people together helps teams align around what needs to happen next.”

— Paulo Gomes, Associate Professor, FIU Business

What’s next

The researchers suggest that for huddles to be effective, organizations need timely information systems, clear pathways to escalate and resolve issues, and participants with decision-making authority. They must also be treated as an operational priority, with fixed schedules, concise formats, and focused agendas that embed them into daily workflows.

The takeaway

This study demonstrates how improving team coordination through structured meetings can boost the efficiency of patient care in high-pressure hospital environments without compromising quality. As healthcare systems face growing demand and resource constraints, the findings highlight the potential for huddles to deliver meaningful gains in both speed and quality of care.