HUGE AND unsatisfactory variations in the way patients are referred to hospitals by GPs have been found in an audit by the Health, Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).
The audit arose following disclosures at Tallaght hospital about the backlog of unreported radiology examinations and more than 3,400 unprocessed patient referral letters.
Prof Jane Grimson, director of health information with Hiqa, said there was no standard means of referral by GPs or standard information in a referral letter. “This makes it very difficult to track a referral, to be able to say it has been received. Some GPs refer by phone, some by letter, some have different letters for different issues.”
The authority has published a consultation document, Standardising Patient Referral Information: A Draft National Template for Consultation, and is inviting feedback.
Prof Grimson said collecting and sharing accurate and timely patient information was vital.
“The development of these guidelines is an important step towards improving the whole patient referral process. It is essential to have accurate, timely, complete and relevant information about patients to enable the delivery of safe, equitable, person-centred care.”
A final report will be published by the end of March.
The draft template, and a feedback form, is available from www.hiqa.ie, while Hiqa can also be contacted at (01) 814 7681.
