Residents of nursing home suffer decubitus ulcers, malnutrition, dehydration, and broken bones from falls. What happens when they are transferred to the local hospital for medical care? Well, 85% of the time the doctors and nurses at the receiving hospital not provided with necessary and important information about the patient according to a recent study. According to the study published in the November, 2006 edition of Academic Emergency Medicine, important information gaps include:
· The reason for transfer
· The existence of an advanced directive for the patient
· The patient’s activities of daily living, and mobility
· The vital signs and baseline cognition of the patients
Make sure the doctors and nurses at the hospital receiving your family member know what medications are being taken and the condition of your family member and the reason for hospitalization. Time is of the essence when treating the elderly and infirm.