Interfacility Transfer Communications Guide
Aboutā
Communicating information to facilitate implementation of appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures during each patient transfer can help prevent the spread of healthcare-associated pathogens among healthcare facilities. CDPH recommends all facilities use an interfacility transfer communication tool when transferring a patient to another facility, or incorporate the information into existing communication processes (for example, an electronic health record).ā
Methods of Communicationā
Facilities may use or adapt either form for patient transfers.
āāThe HAI Program strongly recommends communicating the information included in the Interfacility Transfer form by phone, in advance of transfer, for patients with the following high-priority multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs):
What type of information is important to communicate?
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- āCommunicating key patient information prior to patient transfer helps ensure proper infection prevention and control (IPC) and antimicrobial stewardship measures are initiated or continued at the receiving facility. Facilities should communicate information regarding Transmission-based Precautions, patient symptoms, devices in use, antimicrobial start and stop dates, and immunization status.ā
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āWhy should my facility use or adapt an interfacility transfer communication tool?
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- āAn interfacility transfer communication tool can help standardize the information that is communicated, and ensure the infection information is prominent and readily accessible immediately upon arrival at the receiving facility. Facilities may use or adapt the CDPH forms or incorporate the information into existing communication processes (for example, an electronic health record).ā
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āHow can healthcare facilities use the CDPH interfacility transfer communication forms?ā
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- Your facility may use either the comprehensive or abbreviated form as is, adapt either form to your facility needs, or incorporate elements from the forms into the facilityās existing transfer communication process (for example, electronic health record). It is important that all the information listed on the transfer forms is communicated to the receiving facility; using a transfer form can help with this process, but the form itself is not required.
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Who is responsible for the interfacility communication process and making sure information is received at the receiving facility?
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- āEach facility should identify staff to be responsible for the transfer communication process and train them on how to use and incorporate the transfer communication process into facility procedures. Staff responsible may include infection preventionists, case managers and discharge planners. These staff should also, upon transfer, document that all necessary information was communicated and received.
- Staff responsible for the transfer communication process should establish relationships with infection prevention and case management staff at healthcare facilities within their referral network.
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āI use an interfacility transfer tool at my facility, but I never receive one when patients are transferred to my facility. What should I do?
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- āFacilities can request the information directly from contacts at the transferring facility. The transferring facility may or may not use the above interfacility communication tools, but they should be able to send all the requested information. Send the transferring facility a blank copy to fill out, if needed. ā
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āāContact your local health department (LHD) for assistance. LHDs may set expectations for all facilities in their jurisdiction to participate in the communication process. ā
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āContact Us
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āThe HAI Program provides consultative support to assist healthcare facilities and LHDs with interfacility communication activities. Contact us at
HAIProgram@cdph.ca.gov.
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