Closing the Loop on Electronic Referrals: A Quality Improvement Initiative Using the Care Coordination Model

Primary care providers refer nearly one-third of their patients to specialty care services. Despite provider recommendations, approximately 1 in 4 referrals are never completed. Incomplete referral rates are higher among vulnerable and medically underserved individuals. Sixty-seven percent of federa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The Journal of ambulatory care management Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 71 - 80
Main Authors:	Fabre, Jennifer C., Andresen, Pamela A., Wiltz, Gary M.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved 01-01-2020
Subjects:	Community Health Services - organization & administration Continuity of Patient Care - organization & administration Electronic Health Records Health administration Health Services Research Humans Louisiana Primary Health Care - organization & administration Quality Improvement Referral and Consultation Louisiana
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Primary care providers refer nearly one-third of their patients to specialty care services. Despite provider recommendations, approximately 1 in 4 referrals are never completed. Incomplete referral rates are higher among vulnerable and medically underserved individuals. Sixty-seven percent of federally qualified community health centers report difficulty obtaining specialty care appointments and incomplete referral rates as high as 73%. Effective electronic referral processes can improve health outcomes, reduce waste, and mitigate risks. Using the Care Coordination Model as its framework, this quality improvement initiative implemented evidence-based interventions aimed at improving patient support and organizational accountability for electronic referrals.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0148-9917 1550-3267
DOI:	10.1097/JAC.0000000000000315