Data collected by six Network members shows that the most common cause of transfer of accountability (TOA) issues between organizations is related to the transfer of information.

Six Rehab/CCC hospitals* collected data on TOA issues between October and December 2017. Over the two months, almost 100 issues were reported; 80 per cent of them related to information transfer at the referral or admission stage, such as missing or inaccurate medical admission records (MAR), discharge summary reports and information on follow-up care.

This information will guide the Network’s development of an inter-organization TOA guideline. A working group made up of acute and rehab/CCC representatives from across the GTA will begin work on the guidelines this summer and hopes to have them in place by spring of next year.

TOA initiative expands to include home and community care

The Network has also begun work with the GTA LHINs to address TOA issues affecting home and community care. As a first step, the Network is working with the LHINs to develop and distribute a survey to LHIN contracted rehabilitative care service providers in the community later this summer. The survey will identify particular areas of concern for this sector. A home and community care working group will be convened to review this data and contribute to the development of the Network’s TOA guidelines.

For more information, please contact project managers Sanja Milicic Iafrate (hospitals) or Sharon Ocampo-Chan (home and community care).

* Toronto Rehab/UHN, Runnymede Healthcare Centre, Baycrest Health Sciences, West Park Healthcare Centre, Toronto Grace Health Centre and Providence Healthcare.