File(s) under permanent embargo
Discharge communication from inpatient care: an audit of written medical discharge summary procedure against the new National Health Service Standard for clinical handover
journal contribution
posted on 2015-04-01, 00:00 authored by D B Reid, S R Parsons, Stephen GillStephen Gill, Andrew HughesAndrew HughesOBJECTIVE: To audit written medical discharge summary procedure and practice against Standard Six (clinical handover) of the Australian National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards at a major regional Victorian health service. METHODS: Department heads were invited to complete a questionnaire about departmental discharge summary practices. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (82%) department heads completed the questionnaire. Seven (26%) departments had a documented discharge summary procedure. Fourteen (52%) departments monitored discharge summary completion and 13 (48%) departments monitored the timeliness of completion. Seven (26%) departments informed the patient of the content of the discharge summary and six (22%) departments provided the patient with a copy. Seven (26%) departments provided training for staff members on how to complete discharge summaries. Completing discharge summaries was usually delegated to the medical intern. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the National Service Standards prompted an organisation-wide audit of discharge summary practices against the external criterion. There was substantial variation in the organisation's practices. The Standards and the current audit results highlight an opportunity for the organisation to enhance and standardise discharge summary practices and improve communication with general practice.
History
Journal
Australian health reviewVolume
39Issue
2Pagination
197 - 201Publisher
CSIRO PublishingLocation
Sydney, N.S.W.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0156-5788Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2015, CSIRO PublishingUsage metrics
Categories
Keywords
CommunicationHospital AdministratorsHospitalizationMedical AuditNational Health ProgramsPatient DischargeSurveys and QuestionnairesVictoriaScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineHealth Care Sciences & ServicesHealth Policy & ServicesHOSPITAL DISCHARGEPATIENT SAFETYQUALITYINFORMATIONRESIDENTS