Improving transitions: efficacy of a transfer form to communicate patients' wishes.
The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of a standardized form used during transfers between long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and the acute care setting. The intervention consisted of development and implementation of the transfer form and education about its use. Charts from 26 LTCFs and 1 acute care hospital were reviewed at 1 and 6 months prior to initiation of the transfer form (2007) and at 1 and 6 months after initiation of the transfer form (2008); 210 patient charts were reviewed in 2007 and 172 in 2008. There was 79% concordance between documented LTCF advance directives (ADs) and hospital ADs in 2008-an increase from 66.6% in 2007 (P = .038). Inpatient hospice/palliative care admissions rose from 1.5% in 2007 to 7.7% in 2009 (P = .015). The standardized transfer form improved communication of ADs between LTCFs and the hospital. Secondarily, it may have increased admissions to the acute palliative care unit.
Summa Health System, Akron, OH, USA. zafiraub@summahealth.org
William J
WJ
Zafirau
Sara S
SS
Snyder
Susan E
SE
Hazelett
Ankit
A
Bansal
Susan
S
McMahon
D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011996:Records