title: Evidence Summary and Recommendations for Improved Communication during Care Transitions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Communication between levels of care can be complex for any patient. For the Servicemember or Veteran with complex medical issues, who needs transitioning between multiple levels of care, this communication involves detailed, individualized information pivotal to quality clinical outcomes and patient/family satisfaction. These complex cases also typically include communication between multiple family members.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose was to summarize the evidence and present recommendations for facilitating effective transitions of patient care within the complex Veterans Affairs (VA) Polytrauma System of Care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evidence Based Review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Selected members of the VA Office of Nursing Service Polytrauma Field Advisory Committee conducted an evidence-based review, and queried a clinical panel of polytrauma nursing experts and direct care rehabilitation nurses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Search results, key practice recommendations, a plan of care template, and future plans for dissemination and implementation are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Communication is a key to success when managing many details and requires both focus and knowledge of larger systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Direct communication, using a standardized approach, is recommended for successful patient transitions.
authors.affiliation: Veteran Affairs, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Veteran Affairs, Hines, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Sue
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Biggins
authors.affiliation: North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.affiliation: Veteran Affairs, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: French
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs, Grand Island, NE, USA.
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.affiliation: North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Constance R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Uphold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D000069341:Transitional Care; D014728:Veterans
keywords: Brain injury; Servicemembers; Veterans; communication; transitions