Report: “A Collection of Referral and Consultation Process Improvement Projects”

One of the challenges has been the existence of a broad variety of models of care (MoC), resulting in the need for criteria to define appropriate models that stakeholders will want to endorse and champion at the national level. [...] This communication bridge is intended to facilitate the referral process when going to the specialist, as well as the communication between the specialist and primary care providers when the patient is sent back to the provider following consultation/treatment with the specialist; 4. [...] 20 Referral pathways are registered in a directory of services Utilization of the referral system is closely monitored, referral pathways and information are regularly updated and feedback is provided to users Challenges: „Buy-in‟ of clinicians creating referral pathways Ensuring that use of the referral system saves time, money and increases the quality of referrals Obtaining enough “market share. [...] Many of the system features including the automated “fax-back” notification mechanism, the capacity to include additional patient specific documentation, on-line accessibility of information by staff, as well as the availability of customizable templates for patient and family correspondence have been pivotal in enhancing communication and keeping everyone informed as to the status of a patient‟s. [...] The cost implications for the system in terms of decreased referral to specialists and fewer ED visits and inpatient admissions support the decision of the MOHLTC to provide permanent funding for the program.