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The ‘new model’ discharge summary: is it working?

Jules Thorn Day Hospital, St Pancras hospital, 4 St Pancras Way, London NW1 0PE

An audit was undertaken looking at the information covered and length of discharge summaries in a psychiatric day hospital. Initially data were gathered from 90 multidisciplinary summaries over 18 months. This showed that although some key headings were being covered, 20% of summaries failed to include a diagnosis and 63% were longer than two sides. The strategy devised to improve practice was the presentation of these findings to an audit meeting involving all staff which led to a general agreement to improve weaker areas. Over the following six months data were gathered on 26 discharge summaries. Headings were covered more frequently, 92% included a diagnosis and 88% were two sides or less in length.