Health Ministry issues inter-departmental referral guidelines for hospitals

Union Health Ministry issues inter-departmental referral guidelines for hospitals to improve communication, accountability, and patient care efficiency.

Citing significant inconsistencies and lack of accountability in the referral process, the Union Health Ministry has for the first time issued inter-departmental referral guidelines for hospitals to facilitate better communication and cooperation.

The 'Guidelines for Inter-Departmental Referral (within hospitals)' stress that referrals should be initiated promptly as and when patients require specialised care, diagnostic evaluations or consultations beyond scope of admitting department.

The referral for a consultant's opinion should only be written by consultants and that post graduate residents should not close referrals on their own without discussing with their consultants, the guidelines released on June 7 stated.

Consultant on call should review the referral record attended to by his team the previous day, a step which will help improve patient care and enhance learning of residents.

“The referral process is a crucial component of high-quality patient care in any medical institution, Director General of Health Services, Union Health Ministry,” Dr. Atul Goel said in the document.

“Problems such as poor coordination and communication, unclear procedures, non-standardised formats, and inadequate training for healthcare professionals are common and they ultimately can potentially harm a patient,” Dr. Goel said.

The roles of various professional levels are often undefined, resulting in gaps in patient care, he stated highlighting many patients who visit hospitals have multiple co-morbidities and need a multi-disciplinary approach.