Page 36 - Hospitalists - Risks When You're the Doctor in the House (Part Two)

SVMIC Hospitalists - Risks When You’re the Doctor in the House

outstanding test result, make sure there is a plan in place

for discovering the results of the outstanding testing.
Further, when appropriate, enlist the patient in the follow-

up plan and make sure that the patient understands any
role he or she may have in learning the results.

• When discharging a patient from the hospital with tests
outstanding, consider whether to leverage your existing

tracking system. While it may generally be true that the

hospital’s laboratory would or should inform you of the
results of inpatient testing, do not rely only on this. Such
an assumption may be detrimental to your patient’s health

and may result in you being named as a defendant in a

lawsuit that you could have otherwise avoided.

• If there are pending test results, it’s even more important to

ensure a post-discharge follow-up appointment has been
established.

Strategies

Consider the following strategies to develop or improve existing
discharge protocols and help avoid readmission:

• Include specific instructions about signs and symptoms
to watch for and offer contact information for early

intervention.

• Utilize the teach-back method to ensure patient
understanding of discharge instructions.

• Document all advice given, detailing the patient’s level of
understanding.

• Inform the patient to expect a follow-up call from the
inpatient or outpatient nurse or scheduler to check on the

patient.

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