Timeliness in discharge summary dissemination is associated with patients' clinical outcomes

摘要: Rationale, aims and objectives  To determine the relation of readmission rate general medical patients to either existence a discharge summary or timeliness its dispatch. Methods  This was retrospective study on summaries all discharges from service at tertiary referral teaching hospital January 2005 December 2009. The main outcome measures were within 7 28 days discharge Results  A total 16 496 patient admissions included in analysis. Of these discharges, 3397 (20.6%) did not have completed week discharge. There significant linear trends between patients' rates (P < 0.001) categories reflecting delay dispatch their summaries. absence associated with 79% increase [95% confidence interval (CI) 42 124% increase; P < 0.001] 37% increased (95% CI 17 61% P < 0.001). If aged less than 80 years, 127% 72 202% P < 0.001) 55% 25 91% after discharge. Conclusions  Delayed transmission is patient; more so years old. no generated by discharge, indistinguishable being written all.