Peer review of social work documentation

Peer review of social work documentation has helped promote the uniformity and consistency with which services are delivered; and social workers are exposed to the professional practice of their colleagues, since all staff members participate in conducting peer reviews. The system also helps identify areas of weakness or deficiency common to staff members. The detection of such patterns is the responsibility of the peer review committee, which brings them to the attention of the social work service management and of the service's QA committee. Corrective action is then taken to remedy identified problems. The system also has the potential to help identify patient problems and needs not met by the existing system of health care delivery; such gaps in service can then be brought to the attention of the management of the medical center for consideration and possible resolution. By focusing on documentation elements as indicators of high-quality and appropriate social work intervention, the peer review system used by the social work service has helped enhance social worker performance and service delivery.