Question about hospital transfer policies

[Kayartea]

I'm currently working in Care Management and part of what I do is assist with transfers from other hospitals. Our current arrangement for accepting patients is very cumbersome, involving 3 departments and the ADON, plus the accepting MD.

I'm researching how other hospitals manage this in an effort to streamline the process and would appreciate any information on the methods currently in use at other hospitals.

If anyone can help with their process for transferring patients from outside, from the time the transferring MD calls through all the steps taken until the patient is en route I'd really appreciate it.

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

I call that way too many hands in the cookie jar. What is the reasoning for three different departments needing to be involved?

[Kayartea]

It is way too many. That is why we are trying to get it streamlined. As for why it's this way, who knows? We're a University Hospital and the process has just grown. Every new initiative has meant adding to the process, but no one ever seems to consider downsizing it.