Researchers suggest the quality of discharge summaries, drafted by first-year residents, may be insufficient, according to a study published in BMC Medical Education.
For the study, researchers assessed 90 discharge summaries for completeness and accuracy, according to standards by The Joint Commission for hospital accreditation. Key findings include the following:
• Most items were completely reported, with the exception of the reason for medication changes, which was missing in 16 percent of summaries.
• Discharge medication lists, medication changes and the reason for medication changes — when present — were inaccurate in 35.7 percent, 29.5 percent and 37.7 percent of summaries, respectively.
• Communication of follow-up plans was cited as the area in need of most improvement.
Researchers concluded these findings could help identify educational interventions to improve the quality of discharge summaries.
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For the study, researchers assessed 90 discharge summaries for completeness and accuracy, according to standards by The Joint Commission for hospital accreditation. Key findings include the following:
• Most items were completely reported, with the exception of the reason for medication changes, which was missing in 16 percent of summaries.
• Discharge medication lists, medication changes and the reason for medication changes — when present — were inaccurate in 35.7 percent, 29.5 percent and 37.7 percent of summaries, respectively.
• Communication of follow-up plans was cited as the area in need of most improvement.
Researchers concluded these findings could help identify educational interventions to improve the quality of discharge summaries.
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