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P115: Bounceback reports-improving patient care
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 May 2018
Abstract
Introduction: Seeking patient outcome feedback (POF), defined as obtaining information on a patients clinical course beyond ones care, is crucial to the learning process. However, the lack of POF is a major pitfall of emergency medicine. Emergency department (ED) bouncebacks, which are characterized as patients with unplanned returns to the ED after being discharged, are an important type of POF to study because they represent a potential misdiagnosis or mismanagement and can highlight areas for physician self-improvement. Currently, most hospitals do not relay details about ED bouncebacks back to the treating physician, unless a grave error occurred. This studys purpose is to provide weekly reports to all physicians in the ED on patients who have unplanned returns within 7 days of discharge from the ED, and evaluate the impact this has on the physicians practice on seeking POF. Methods: A new weekly report was distributed to physicians working at an academic hospital outlining the patients who have returned within 7 days of discharge from the ED, their new presenting complaint and final disposition. An online survey was also administered to all ED staff evaluating the amount of POF they sought pre and post report, and their attitude towards the new reports. Results: 22 responses were received, for a response rate of 85%. The majority of respondents follow the reports (73%) and actively seek POF by looking up patients charts and results(70%). Additionally, 58% state that they seek POF more often since receiving these reports, for both the bouncebacks and their other patients. Furthermore, 37% claimed that the reports helped improve the appropriateness of their referrals and 32% stated it helped increase their confidence in their clinical practice. The majority of physicians (87%) found the reports to be helpful and would like to continue receiving it. Conclusion: Weekly bounceback reports are a high-yield tool for increasing POF sought in the ED and have benefits for both the physician and the department as a whole. They can be used to not only identify patients who may have had an error in their management, but also help to improve physicians’ clinical skills by encouraging and enabling follow-up of patients they managed. Thus, bounceback reports are a valuable tool to provide to physicians and should be considered by ED Departments.
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- Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2018
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