"We are so similar in many ways to an acute-care unit that many people forget we are separate. Therefore, we frequently find that discharge summaries are missing from patients transferred to our unit," Tisnado said. Administratively, physicians should regard a transfer to the 22-bed SNF in the same way as a transfer to a skilled nursing facility outside of Stanford, she added.

"Although we're conveniently located here, the SNF is a distinct unit. Administratively, patients are first discharged from the hospital and then readmitted to the SNF. The discharge summary from an acute-care bed serves as the admitting history and physical [H&P]," Tisnado explained.
After a chart audit, physicians will eventually be asked ‹ sometimes months later ‹ to write a discharge summary, she said. "It is obviously easier, more accurate and simpler for everyone to dictate the summary at the appropriate time ‹ when the patient is discharged from the hospital and admitted to C-2, the 22-bed SNF."

Physicians with questions may call Tisnado at (415) 725-8460.

Chief Medical Officer

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