World Cardiology Conference 2026

Abstract

Background:

Effective communication between secondary and primary care is essential for safe and coordinated patient management following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients transferred to tertiary centres for potential percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) often experience disrupted continuity of care due to incomplete or delayed discharge documentation. Discharge summaries are a key mechanism for conveying diagnoses, procedures, treatment decisions, and follow-up plans to general practitioners (GPs). Incomplete summaries can lead to medication errors, missed secondary prevention, duplication of investigations, and avoidable readmissions.

Aim:
To improve the compliance and quality of discharge summary completion for ACS patients transferred from our district general hospital to tertiary centres for PCI, thereby strengthening communication with GPs and optimising post-discharge care.

Methods:
This quality improvement project (QIP) used a Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) approach over multiple cycles. Baseline data were collected over a one-month period to determine the completion rate of discharge summaries for ACS patients transferred for PCI. Root cause analysis identified barriers, including lack of clarity on responsibility for completing summaries and limited awareness of their importance. Interventions included staff education sessions for the cardiology and medical teams, the introduction of a standardised discharge summary template, and automated prompts within the electronic discharge system. Compliance was re-audited after each PDSA cycle to assess improvement.

Conclusion:
Improving discharge summary completion for ACS patients transferred for PCI significantly enhances communication between hospital and primary care teams, supporting safer, more coordinated care. Standardising documentation processes and embedding prompts within electronic systems are effective strategies to sustain compliance. This QIP aligns with national cardiology and NHS quality standards for seamless care transitions and demonstrates a scalable model for other specialties where inter-hospital transfers can fragment communication. Sustained monitoring and periodic staff education are recommended to maintain long-term improvement and ensure continued high-quality patient care.