In the fast-paced world of healthcare, clear and concise communication is absolutely crucial. One of the most important tools nurses use to ensure continuity of care is the transfer note. This document, often referred to as a Transfer Note Nursing Example, serves as a bridge, providing essential information about a patient’s condition, treatment, and needs when they are moved from one healthcare setting to another. Whether a patient is moving from the emergency room to a hospital ward, from one hospital to another, or being discharged home with follow-up care, the transfer note plays a vital role. This essay will break down the importance of the transfer note and provide practical examples to help you understand its significance.
The Core Purpose of a Transfer Note
A transfer note is more than just a piece of paper; it’s a lifeline for patient safety. It’s a detailed summary of a patient’s current state, history, and ongoing care plan. When a patient is transferred, the receiving healthcare team needs to quickly understand the patient’s situation to provide appropriate care. A well-written transfer note eliminates guesswork and ensures that the patient receives the correct treatment from the start. It is usually filled with vital information about the patient’s:
- Medical History: Important past illnesses and surgeries.
- Current Condition: Presenting symptoms and diagnosis.
- Medications: All medications, dosages, and administration times.
- Treatments: Ongoing therapies, such as wound care or oxygen therapy.
The transfer note ensures a smooth transition, it helps prevent medical errors, and contributes to improved patient outcomes. The accuracy and completeness of the transfer note are essential for delivering safe and effective patient care. Furthermore, consider the following benefits of a well-constructed transfer note:
- Reduced Risk of Medication Errors: Prevents medication discrepancies during the transfer.
- Enhanced Communication: Facilitates seamless communication between healthcare teams.
- Improved Patient Outcomes: Contributes to a safer and more effective transition of care.
Here’s a quick table example summarizing some key transfer note elements:
| Category | Information Included |
|---|---|
| Patient Demographics | Name, DOB, Medical Record Number |
| Reason for Transfer | Why the patient is being moved |
| Assessment Findings | Vital signs, physical assessment details |
Email Example: Transferring a Patient to a Skilled Nursing Facility
Subject: Patient Transfer – John Smith (MRN: 1234567) – Transfer to Sunny Meadows Skilled Nursing Facility
Dear Nursing Team at Sunny Meadows,
This email serves as the transfer note for John Smith, MRN 1234567, who is being transferred from our acute care facility to your care today, October 26, 2023.
Patient Information:
- Name: John Smith
- Date of Birth: 01/15/1950
- Medical Record Number: 1234567
Reason for Transfer: The patient requires ongoing physical therapy and wound care following a hip replacement.
Medical History: Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, History of Hip Replacement.
Current Condition: Stable, ambulatory with a walker, reports pain level 3/10 at incision site.
Medications:
- Lisinopril 10mg PO daily
- Metformin 500mg PO BID
- Oxycodone 5mg PO q4h prn pain
- Enoxaparin 40mg SC daily
Treatments: Wound care to left hip incision site (dressing change every other day). Physical therapy scheduled daily.
Allergies: NKDA (No Known Drug Allergies)
Diet: Regular
Special Instructions: Monitor for signs of infection at the incision site. Encourage ambulation as tolerated.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Our contact number is 555-1212.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe, RN
Charge Nurse
Email Example: Transferring a Patient to Another Hospital for Specialized Care
Subject: Patient Transfer – Sarah Jones (MRN: 7890123) – Transfer to City General Hospital
Dear Receiving Team at City General Hospital,
This email serves as the transfer note for Sarah Jones, MRN 7890123, who is being transferred to your facility for specialized cardiology care on October 27, 2023.
Patient Information:
- Name: Sarah Jones
- Date of Birth: 05/22/1968
- Medical Record Number: 7890123
Reason for Transfer: Patient requires further evaluation and potential intervention for unstable angina.
Medical History: Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Recent onset chest pain.
Current Condition: Experiencing intermittent chest pain, ECG shows ST-segment changes.
Medications:
- Aspirin 81mg PO daily
- Atorvastatin 20mg PO daily
- Nitroglycerin 0.4mg SL prn chest pain
Treatments: Oxygen via nasal cannula at 2L/min. Continuous cardiac monitoring.
Allergies: Sulfa
Diet: NPO (Nothing by mouth) at this time.
Special Instructions: Closely monitor cardiac rhythm. Be prepared for potential cardiac catheterization.
Please acknowledge receipt of this transfer note. You can reach us at 555-2323 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Michael Brown, RN
Charge Nurse
Email Example: Transferring a Patient Home with Home Health Instructions
Subject: Patient Transfer – David Lee (MRN: 3456789) – Discharge Home with Home Health
Dear Home Health Team,
This email serves as the transfer note for David Lee, MRN 3456789, who is being discharged home with home health services today, October 28, 2023.
Patient Information:
- Name: David Lee
- Date of Birth: 09/10/1945
- Medical Record Number: 3456789
Reason for Transfer: Discharge home with ongoing wound care and medication management.
Medical History: Peripheral Vascular Disease, Stage 2 Pressure Ulcer.
Current Condition: Stable, wound on the left heel is healing.
Medications:
- Warfarin 5mg PO daily
- Amoxicillin 500mg PO TID (3 times a day)
- Pain medication as needed.
Treatments: Wound care to left heel (dressing change daily).
Allergies: Penicillin
Diet: Regular
Special Instructions: Patient to follow up with his primary care physician in one week. Monitor for signs of infection at the wound site. Ensure patient understands medication regimen.
We will fax over additional documents. Contact us if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Jessica White, RN
Discharge Planner
Email Example: Transfer Note for a Pediatric Patient to a Children’s Hospital
Subject: Patient Transfer – Emily Carter (MRN: 9012345) – Transfer to Children’s Hospital
Dear Pediatric Team,
This email serves as the transfer note for Emily Carter, MRN 9012345, who is being transferred to your facility for further evaluation today, October 29, 2023.
Patient Information:
- Name: Emily Carter
- Date of Birth: 03/03/2018
- Medical Record Number: 9012345
Reason for Transfer: Child needs specialized care for a respiratory infection.
Medical History: Asthma, Frequent Bronchitis.
Current Condition: Experiencing shortness of breath, wheezing, and fever.
Medications:
- Albuterol via nebulizer q4h prn
- Prednisone 20mg PO daily
Treatments: Oxygen via nasal cannula at 3L/min. Continuous monitoring.
Allergies: None Known
Diet: Regular, encourage fluids.
Special Instructions: Monitor respiratory status closely. Be ready to administer epinephrine if needed.
Please confirm receipt and let us know if you need more information. Call 555-3434.
Thank you,
Susan Green, RN
Pediatric Nurse
Email Example: Transfer Note for a Patient with Mental Health Concerns
Subject: Patient Transfer – Robert Miller (MRN: 6789012) – Transfer to Psychiatric Unit
Dear Psychiatric Unit Team,
This email serves as the transfer note for Robert Miller, MRN 6789012, who is being transferred to your unit for further assessment and treatment on October 30, 2023.
Patient Information:
- Name: Robert Miller
- Date of Birth: 07/12/1975
- Medical Record Number: 6789012
Reason for Transfer: Suicidal ideation, depression.
Medical History: Major Depressive Disorder.
Current Condition: Expressing feelings of hopelessness, at risk for self-harm.
Medications:
- Sertraline 100mg PO daily
- Lorazepam 1mg PO q6h prn anxiety
Treatments: Close observation, one-to-one monitoring.
Allergies: None Known
Diet: Regular
Special Instructions: Patient requires close monitoring for suicidal behavior. Implement safety precautions.
Contact us at 555-4545 for any additional details.
Sincerely,
David Lee, RN
Charge Nurse
Email Example: Transfer Note for a Patient After a Surgical Procedure
Subject: Patient Transfer – Maria Rodriguez (MRN: 2345678) – Post-Operative Transfer
Dear Recovery Room Team,
This email serves as the transfer note for Maria Rodriguez, MRN 2345678, following her appendectomy on October 31, 2023.
Patient Information:
- Name: Maria Rodriguez
- Date of Birth: 11/05/1998
- Medical Record Number: 2345678
Reason for Transfer: Post-operative care.
Medical History: None
Current Condition: Recovering from appendectomy. Stable vital signs, alert and oriented.
Medications:
- Morphine 2mg IV q2h prn pain
- Cefazolin 1g IV q8h
Treatments: Foley catheter, surgical dressing.
Allergies: Penicillin
Diet: NPO.
Special Instructions: Monitor for signs of bleeding, infection. Continue pain management.
Contact us at 555-5656 with any questions.
Thank you,
Emily Chen, RN
Surgical Nurse
Email Example: Transfer Note to a Rehabilitation Center
Subject: Patient Transfer – Thomas Baker (MRN: 8901234) – Transfer to Rehabilitation Center
Dear Rehabilitation Team,
This email is the transfer note for Thomas Baker, MRN 8901234, who is being transferred to your facility for rehabilitation on November 1, 2023.
Patient Information:
- Name: Thomas Baker
- Date of Birth: 06/18/1960
- Medical Record Number: 8901234
Reason for Transfer: Following a stroke, needs physical and occupational therapy.
Medical History: Stroke, Hypertension.
Current Condition: Weakness on left side, difficulty with speech.
Medications:
- Amlodipine 5mg PO daily
- Aspirin 81mg PO daily
- Atorvastatin 20mg PO daily
Treatments: Physical therapy, occupational therapy scheduled.
Allergies: None Known
Diet: Regular, with thickened liquids.
Special Instructions: Assist with activities of daily living. Speech therapy consult needed.
Call us at 555-6767 if you need more information.
Best regards,
Sarah Miller, RN
Nurse
In conclusion, the Transfer Note Nursing Example is a fundamental tool in healthcare. It’s a concise and detailed summary of a patient’s condition, treatment, and needs. It is an important part of ensuring that patients receive the right care. By providing clear, accurate information, the transfer note helps healthcare providers to provide safe and effective care. The examples given should provide you with a basic understanding of how to write transfer notes for a variety of different situations. Keep in mind that each patient case is different, and transfer notes should always be customized to meet the specific needs of the patient.