Lazy Handover Forms

I feel I was extremely lucky to have a rehab in the home elective placement and have it after my main three cardiopulmonary, neurology and musculoskeletal placements. This meant I was able to challenge myself in other ways which RITH, having many extra safety and problem solving issues, was excellent for. Another major challenge for this placement was trying to decipher referrals/handover forms which were missing information such as the actual contact number for the patient (you have to ring them up before you go in the morning) and various bits of their past medical history (I mean why would I want to know that this patient who was being treated for post op joint replacement had diabetes…) I encountered forms that were missing the 2nd sheet where the various therapy goals and home risk factors for the therapist were, there was one patient who apparently had her (R) hip done on one part of the form and (L) hip done on the other and another who’s form didn’t say a word of her problems with vertigo, just that she had a history of falls. This on top of generally no notes from the hospital made going to a complete stranger’s house to treat their problem a whole lot harder, which at RITH is never easy even when you’re completely organised. Although I haven’t had a hospital placement after RITH I have vowed to make sure even if I am in a rush to lunch or to another patient that I fill out forms correctly and with overboard information rather than the bear essentials. It’s not just something that will be part of the job; it’s a major safety issue and can be a Big hassle and waste of time to the next lot of people treating the patient chasing the information up. In saying all this, I did become very good at calling up hospitals and chasing up little bits of information that was missing, so if the same happens to you just call the hospital and ask for either the referrer or ask straight up for the hospital to page (whatever the pager number on the form is) and if that parts missing start square one with the patient number and name, you cannot fail. If it is you writing the form don’t forget that you have been seeing the patient for a while therefore little bits of information may not seem relevant but imagine you haven't seen the patient and are only getting your referral.