Background: The simplified HOSPITAL score is an easy-to-use prediction model that accurately identifies patients at high-risk of 30-day unplanned readmission before hospital discharge. The predictors include the last available hemoglobin and sodium levels at discharge. Because an earlier stratification risk of readmission would allow more preparation time for transitional care interventions, we aimed to assess [...]

Background: Medication discrepancies are prevalent at various transitions of care including hospital discharge. Medication changes at hospital discharge may be misunderstood by the patient or not conveyed throughout the healthcare system. Most outpatient pharmacy medication records were created for the sole purpose of dispensing prescriptions. Pharmacists have little incentive to remove outdated medications and are [...]

Background: Following discharge from hospital, Community Care Teams (CCT) continue the care of patients with chronic medical problems. Handover is by means of discharge summary with no further communication between Inpatient Teams (IPT) and CCT. When problems arise, CCT refer patients to the Emergency Department (ED) and re-admissions back to IPT are not infrequent. Purpose: [...]

Background: Hospital discharge is a complex and dangerous process. The emergence and rapid growth of the Hospitalist specialty with the simultaneous decline of traditional practice models complicates discharges. In light of the discontinuity, it is crucial to build reliable communication tools that facilitate transmission of critical information.The discharge summary is an essential piece of that [...]