GPA Tip Detail

Recording of Patients' After Hours Needs

Recently GPA was questioned as to how Practices can obtain and record information regarding patients' needs in after hours care situations.

From an accreditation standpoint, it is not essential that Practices have a system in place where the after hours care needs of patients are recorded. However, in the event that a Practice tends to a patient in an after hours situation, the patient’s medical record shall contain reports or notes detailing information about the care provided.

If a Practice has a formal after hours agreement with a hospital or another after hours care facility, ideally the provider should report the information back to the Practice regarding a patient's visit. The Practice shall then update the patient's medical record with the details provided. However, if a patient attends an after hours facility where there is no formal agreement with the patient's Practice, the after hours care provider is not required to report back such information to the Practice. Therefore, it is recommended that a contract between a Practice and an after hours care facility will contain how Drs are advised of whom was seen, for what purpose, actions taken, advice provided and follow up required.

GPA has developed a comprehensive summary of after hours provision requirements in General Practice. To obtain a copy, go to 'after hours provisions' on our Fact Sheets page or contact the GPA office on 1800 188 088.