Reconciliation of hospital discharge summaries and changes in patient medications

Abstract

Family doctors will regularly have patients who are admitted to hospital. On discharge, many of these patients may have alterations to the medications that require attention by their family doctor, to either start a new repeat prescription or amend previous ones. This action should be clearly documented, so it can be recognised easily that the discharge summary has been reviewed. This study looks at the action taken and coding related to hospital discharge summaries in a general practice in the United Kingdom. The practice was very accurate and safe in making correct changes to medications but had low rates of documenting and coding that the discharge summary has been reviewed and actioned as required. A uniform code was recommended, and required documentation related to discharge summaries included in the practice’s training materials for locum and training doctors.