An Improved 'Interim Discharge Letter': A Successful Outcome from Audit

General practitioners were dissatisfied with this hospital's interim discharge letters. These were unstructured letters written by house officers shortly after the patient's discharge. A copy of the list of drugs prescribed on discharge was sent separately. After discussing the various needs with general practitioners a new form of discharge letter has been successfully introduced. The layout has been further modified in the light of feedback, and details of the new letter are presented. The new form has been well received by hospital staff and general practitioners. The paperwork for junior doctors has been reduced by the inclusion of the prescription in the discharge letter.