eP59 Boosting Discharge Letter Compliance in the Surgical Assessment Unit – A Success Story from A District General Hospital
Samuel Davis, Opeyemi Oyeniyi, Caleb Phiri, Elenza Jose, Sumit MidyaAbstract
Aim
This clinical audit aimed to assess the completion rate of discharge letters for patients seen in the Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) at a district general hospital. Discharge letters are essential for informing General Practitioners of their patients’ hospital visits and ensuring continuity of care.
Method
Data was collected from SAU records over two audit cycles. Medical Record Numbers (MRNs) of patients seen by the Emergency Surgical Team (EST) were extracted, and Electronic Patient Record (EPIC) was used to verify if discharge letters were sent. Exclusions included patients seen by other specialties (e.g., Vascular and ENT) and those admitted directly or returning for review. A series of interventions were implemented after the first cycle, including the creation of a standardized PDF template, visual reminders, one-on-one clinician training, and instruction for nurses to ensure completion of discharge letters before patient discharge.
Results
In the first audit cycle (May 2024), only 7% of patients had discharge letters sent, while 93% had no discharge letter documented or sent. Following interventions, the second cycle (August 2024) showed marked improvement, with 69% of patients receiving discharge letters, 13% having discharge letters documented but not sent, and 18% were completely absent.
Conclusion
The audit identified a significant gap in discharge letter completion. Interventions raised awareness and improved compliance, leading to a substantial increase in discharge letter completion. Further audits and ongoing training are planned to maintain improvement and expand the initiative across the trust.