A review of the role of information technology in discharge communications in Australia.
Information technology is believed to be useful for the communication of discharge information between hospitals and community-based health practitioners. At least 20 projects were conducted in Australia between 1993 and 1997 to explore this idea. The value of these projects was at least $618,000. Despite this level of activity there is no good evidence, either from these projects or the international literature, to suggest that information technology can improve the quality of discharge communications.
Bolton
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Centre for Integration Studies, University of New South Wales.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D003142:Communication; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005194:Family Practice; D006302:Health Services Research; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008485:Medical Audit; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D017748:Time Management