Communication at the interface between hospitals and primary care: A general practice audit of hospital discharge summaries

Abstract

Background: Timeliness and quality of hospital discharge summaries are crucial for patient safety and efficient health service provision after discharge. Methods: We audited receipt rates, timeliness and the quality of discharge summaries for 49 admissions among 38 patients in an urban general practice. For missing discharge summaries, a hospital medical record search was performed. Results Discharge summaries were received for 92% of identified admissions; 73% were received within three days and 55% before the first post-discharge visit to the general practitioner (GP). Administrative information and clinical content, including diagnosis, treatment and follow-up plans, were well reported. H..