Researchers presented a set of four best practices for transitioning patients from the ED to the community in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine. The researchers developed the best practices through a multistage collaborative quality improvement process in Rhode Island, which included a review of the literature, a collection of preferences from clinicians and a vetting process with key stakeholders. Here are the resulting four best practices:
• Obtain information about patients’ outpatient clinicians.
• Send summary clinical information to downstream clinicians.
• Perform modified medication reconciliation.
• Provide patients with effective education and written discharge instructions.
More Articles on ED Care Transitions:
3 Strategies to Optimize the Value of Hospital EDs
Danbury Hospital’s 6 Strategies to Manage Increasing ED Volume
17 Strategies to Improve Communication in the ED
