Key content items associated with successful discharge lettersA clear diagnosis. Appropriate follow-up plans with clear agency. Medication information, including any changes and reasons. Avoidance of acronyms. No 'blank' boxes on templates. Views about copying patients into discharge communicationIn general, patients should be offered a copy of their discharge letter. Patients need to receive adequate verbal advice alongside written information. Not all patients want letters and so considerations of patient choice are important. Addition of a patient information section may make letters more useful for patients.
|