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The completeness and accuracy of patient record transfer between practices
1Department of General Practice, Glasgow University.
Health Bulletin
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Patient record transfer between general practices is often incomplete and inaccurate. This study found significant discrepancies in electronic health record data, highlighting a need for improved transfer processes.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Medicine
- Health Informatics
Background:
- General practitioners increasingly use parallel electronic health record systems alongside paper records.
- Current patient record transfer involves sending written records and a computer-generated summary when a patient changes practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the completeness and accuracy of patient record transfers between general practices.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 100 patient records in transit between general practices.
- Assessment of information accuracy by examining transferred records.
- Analysis of discrepancies to determine clinical significance.
Main Results:
- Only 46% of practices transferred complete records, despite 85% using computers.
- Discrepancies between computer and manual formats were found in 51% of transferred electronic records.
- Inaccuracies affected diagnoses, prescribing data, and investigation results.
Conclusions:
- Current patient record transfer arrangements are inadequate.
- Practices must ensure comprehensive data transfer when patients move between practices.