Transfer of patients with psychiatric illness
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46570/utjms-2026-1608Keywords:
psychiatric patients, extended care facility, communication, diagnosis, electronic medical recordAbstract
The transfer of a patient with psychiatric illness from a general medical hospital to an extended care facility (ECF) can involve challenges and pitfalls. Planning should begin with the patient’s admission to the hospital. Comprehensive communication among staff members and also between staff and the patient/family is critical. Errors in diagnoses and medications pose particular risks during the process of transfer. It is essential that the ECF selected for the patient be prepared to provide treatment not just for the patient’s physical needs but also their psychiatric symptoms. Many ECFs do not have enough staff and/or consultants who are prepared to treat psychiatric problems. Once the patient has been established in the ECF, it is important that any changes in their psychiatric symptoms be included in their chart so that their diagnosis is current. The use of electronic medical records may contribute to errors in diagnosis when old, inaccurate information is retained through the inappropriate use of “cut and paste” tools. The purpose of this article is to identify these challenges and offer solutions for hospital staff, (e.g., integrated care providers, hospitalists), pre-transfer and ECF staff after transfer.
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