Table 3.
Absence and inadequacy of applicable discharge letter components
| 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 | - |
- Not applicable