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Table 3 Absence and inadequacy of applicable discharge letter components

From: Association of admission and patient characteristics with quality of discharge letters: posthoc analysis of a retrospective study

Discharge letter components

Absence of applicable components

(N = 2632)

(%)

Component present but inadequate

(% of present components)

Name, address and function of receiver

1.4

-

Name and function of receivers of a copy of the letter

34.2

-

Name and date of birth of the patient

0.7

0.4

Address of the patient

0.9

-

Date of admission

1.5

-

Date of discharge or death

2.0

-

Patient history

7.1

3.8

Most important outcomes of tests

6.5

2.8

Most important laboratory results

31.6

1.6

Information about consultations and the conclusions

21.1

4.3

Conclusions / Diagnosis

2.2

3.5

Answers to the questions of the general practitioner / referrer

11.7

0.5

Treatment and prognosis

3.1

3.0

Complications

9.7

3.1

Treatment after discharge

7.1

0.7

Changes in medication

15.2

0.9

Follow up and appointments

10.8

-

Name and function of discharging physician

0.3

-

  1. - Not applicable