Publication Date: January 6th, 2015
Publication Type(s): Policy Brief
Topic(s): Quality
Author(s): Jill Klingner, Stratis Health, Minnesota Department of Health
ED Transfer Communication Measures:
In 2003, an expert panel convened by the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center identified ED care as an important quality assessment measurement category for rural hospitals. While emergency care is important in all hospitals, it is particularly critical in rural hospitals where the size of the hospital and geographic realities make organizing triage, stabilization, and transfer of patients more important. Communication between providers promotes continuity of care and may lead to improved patient outcomes. These measures were previously piloted by approximately 100 rural hospitals in 8 states between 2004 and 2009. Results of the pilot project indicated room for improvement in ED care and transfer communication. These seven measures are endorsed by the National Quality Forum.
Download Publication (link below) for the measure specifications, data definitions, and data collection tool.