A Case of Mistaken Identity: The Importance of Interdisciplinary Communication in the Discharge Process. J Palliat Med 2025 Sep;28(9):1283-1286
Date
04/03/2025Pubmed ID
40176461DOI
10.1089/jpm.2025.0042Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105001853145 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
Effective communication is a critical component of quality health care. In the setting of hospital admissions, communication among patients and the health care team is necessary for all stages of treatment, including discharge planning. Communication includes delivering relevant health information, discussing available options for continued care, and eliciting the patient's choices. The following case discussion describes a lapse in provider-patient communication that resulted in ruptured rapport and delayed discharge. Specifically, we reflect on a case in which a patient was erroneously identified as a registered sex offender, including the communication errors that stalled clarification of this misinformation, hindered eligibility for placement at appropriate care facilities, and ultimately delayed a timely hospital discharge. Discussion includes consideration for (a) the role of context and diffusion of responsibility, (b) stigma and unconscious bias, and (c) lack of standard operating procedure for information regarding criminal justice involvement. We conclude with recommendations for improving practice.
Author List
Goertz M, Bauman J, Jarvis D, Lahmann D, McAndrew NAuthors
Jordan Bauman MD Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMackenzie T. Goertz PhD Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
CommunicationHumans
Interdisciplinary Communication
Patient Care Team
Patient Discharge
Sex Offenses
