Quality of patient referral information for open-access endoscopic procedures.
BACKGROUND
Increased demand for endoscopic procedures has led to the provision of these services without prior consultation (open access). The need for accurate medical referral information for these patients is vital for patient safety.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy of endoscopic referral information.


METHODS
Over a 4-month study period, patient referral forms were evaluated to determine the accuracy of medical information on patient referral forms by using direct interview with the patient and/or the caregiver. Inconsistencies were validated against medical records.


METHODS
Large academic medical clinic.


METHODS
A total of 868 open-access patient referrals for upper endoscopy and colonoscopy services.


METHODS
Referral information about medical diagnoses, medications, allergies, need for antibiotic administration, and current coagulopathies.


RESULTS
Inaccurate medical referral information was provided to the endoscopist in 8.8% of referrals (n = 76). Among referrals containing errors, there were a total of 95 significant medical information errors, which, if left undetected by preprocedure review, could have resulted in serious adverse consequences for patients undergoing endoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Study limited to an academic clinical setting.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient referrals for endoscopic services in an open-access referral system contain unacceptably high numbers of errors, which place patients at risk for adverse outcomes from endoscopic procedures.
Kisloff
Barry
B
Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
Peele
Pamela B
PB
Sharam
Rupam
R
Slivka
Adam
A
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000592:standards*; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards*; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*