title: Linking the orthopaedic office-hospital continuum: results before and after implementation of an automated patient health history project.
abstract: This article introduces an innovative collaboration between an orthopaedic surgeon's office and the hospital to assure complete and accurate admission information without duplication. With the use of point-of-care software, the assessment process was re-tooled. This change involved the patient/family assuming responsibility for completing paper and pencil in-depth history and systems review that was then used as part of the evaluation process and inputted into the database allowing for more effective outcomes assessment. In this re-tooling process, the concept of "sharing" information with the partnering hospital was explored. In collaborative discussions, the nursing admission assessment was targeted as a process where there was significant duplication. In fact, much of the information required on the 4-page form was already assessed and documented in the office setting. Consequently it was agreed that the majority of the inpatient nursing history/admission assessment form would be replaced with the assessment completed by the professional office staff. Because of incompatible software, the systems could not be linked but a printed copy of the form was sent to the hospital. Results measuring satisfaction, timesaving, and compliance with JCAHO documentation standards were part of the evaluation. Patients and clinicians were satisfied with the process. There was a significant timesaving for the in-patient RN which facilitated more direct contact with the patient and family.
authors.affiliation: OrthoExcel, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mansfield
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Dodds
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Mallory
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010824:Physicians' Offices