What is a 'transfer summary'?

A 'transfer summary' is a critical document created during the process of transferring a patient from one healthcare facility to another or from one department to another within the same facility. This summary contains essential information that ensures continuity of care for the patient. It typically includes details about the patient's medical condition, treatment received, medications prescribed, and any specific needs or instructions for ongoing care.

Creating an effective transfer summary is crucial to facilitate communication between healthcare providers, minimize the risk of information loss, and help prevent medication errors or misunderstandings about the patient’s care plan. It is designed to support the receiving clinical team in understanding the patient's background and current health status.

The other options describe different types of documents but do not specifically define a transfer summary. A summary of patient discharge information would focus on the patient's status upon leaving a facility, while a document listing all medications would serve a different purpose related to medication management. A brief overview of a patient's medical history, while helpful, does not provide the specific, actionable information that a transfer summary aims to convey at the time of patient transition.