CRICO/RMF - Patient Safety Strategies - Communication/Teamwork - Referrals

What Works: Effective Practices for Office-based CareReferrals

Consult Findings: Documentation

Recommendation: The medical record contains documentation of patient understanding of the need for the consult as well as the specialist report.

Source: CRICO/RMF Office Practice Handbook

Referral form or a copy of the specialist's office note containing the consultant's diagnosis/care plain is faxed to the PCP and filed in the patient's medical record
A formal consult report follows

Benefits:

Receipt of a referral form or a copy of the specialist's note enhances communication
Paper-based system, low tech

In practice at: Office of Dr. Bruce Cohen (BIDMC), APG-Chelsea (BIDMC)