The Art of the Patient Transfer Evaluation

OK, well, maybe “art” is pushing it a little bit, but since we introduced the Patient Transfer Evaluation a year ago, the “art” of doing it properly (and getting the most out of it) has been lost, so this article is timely if nothing else.

The purpose of the Patient Transfer Evaluation (PTE) is twofold: to familiarize yourself with the case of a patient who has just been transferred to you from another intern, and to evaluate the patient’s progress. Unfortunately, interns always wait to do the entire PTE when the patient is in the room, but in fact, about 1/2 or more of the PTE is supposed to be done before the patient’s visit. Most of the PTE is you going through the file looking at the information… past complaints, positive examination findings, current progress, etc. 

A PTE should take no longer than a “blue soap” note, when done properly. The part that is done when the patient is in the room is simply the updated evaluation procedures. When done properly, the PTE should only add a handful of minutes to your regular visit, and you get CMR credit (once you do the CMR, of course) from it. 

Start spending more time with transferred patients’ files so you can learn about their problems, what is working (or isn’t working) in their care, and can pick up right where the past intern left off, or move in a new direction as may be necessary. It makes you look a lot more professional to the patient, you’ll save time, and your care of the patient will be much better.