[Evaluation of the quality of communication between levels of care through the inter-consultation document].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality and improvement of compliance in the inter-consultation documents of the primary care team (PCT).


METHODS
Entire care cycle.


METHODS
Primary care (PC).


METHODS
Dimension studied: scientific-technical quality.


METHODS
all the inter-consultation documents (ID-1) sent by PC doctors from Irun Health Centre to specialist clinics over a 15-day period. 223 ID-1 for evaluation in April 1998, and 287 for re-evaluation in October 1998. Type of evaluation: retrospective.


METHODS
inter-consultation documents and clinical records.


METHODS
explicit and standard. Corrective measures: educational (discussion of results in meeting of the PCT).


RESULTS
A statistically significant improvement was found at the re-evaluation: basic personal details (91.5%-96.8%), legibility (86%-92.7%), medical history and/or customary medication (35.9%-50%) and symptoms (77.8%-87.2%). Good quality levels rose from 20.6% to 42.5%; and bad quality levels fell from 40.8% to 33.4%. 22.2% of our referrals received a reply. 34% of the lack of replies was because of no report from the specialist, 47.8% were attributed to the patient or circuit, and 18% of the patients were awaiting test results.


CONCLUSIONS
The information supplied in the ID-1 improved significantly after the quality cycle. Knowing our habitual working practice can serve to stimulate improvement. The criteria we complied with least were: reference to personal antecedents and/or habitual medication, physical examination, and therapeutic measures employed. There was a huge loss of information in the replies to our referrals.
Rubio Arribas
V
V
Centro de Salud Irún Centro. Avda. Gipuzkoa, 15. 20302 Irún.
Rodríguez Ibáñez
M L
ML
Sampedro Martínez
E
E
Victores Benavente
C
C
Alechiguerra García
A
A
Barrio Gamarra
J L
JL
D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*
Evaluación de la calidad de comunicación entre niveles asistenciales mediante el documento interconsulta.