Turnaround time of in-patient discharge letters: a simple system of audit

This user-friendly audit system, successfully developed and implemented in a district general hospital for use across all clinical specialties, is able to calculate the turnaround time of final discharge letters and as a consequence identify any areas of delay between patients' discharge and the letter being mailed. By serially monitoring both individual consultant and specialty performance, the system can provide valuable information on the discharge letter process to Purchaser and Provider alike. A copy of the audit system together with details of audit design and methodology is available to interested clinicians, managers and audit facilitators.