How to Write Calls to Other Units

Call is usually in the form of a written request on a page that is appended to patient's chart. A good call reflects your insight and devotion to your patient and profession. Response to a call will be as good or bad as the call is (garbage in, garbage out!). A nicely written call should comprise of,

• Heading e.g., Call to Cardiology/Urology/Thoracic Surgery etc.
• Followed by a subject e.g., Examination of the Bed Sore and Expert Opinion.
• Then, main body of the call, in which you precisely describe the reason for consulting a certain person/department after giving the necessary information about the patient's clinical situation.
• Patient's name, registration number, bed number and ward name
• In case it is a by name call or a bed case, you must mention it clearly at the top besides heading.
• Also mention urgency of the situation, if necessary, i.e. Urgent call.
• Orders to send such calls are given usually during ward rounds. It is then duty of the concerned house officer / trainee to write and send these calls.
• The calls that you write are taken by ward boys to the concerned persons/departments who usually write their response on the same page (so do leave some space on the page and certainly leave back side of the page blank for their response).
• If the call is written just to get an appointment (e.g. time for CT Scan, time for Gastroscopy etc.) or it's the bedside case then the patient need not go along with the call.
• However, if the call is for advice, expert opinion etc., then usually the patient needs to go, along with all the clinical records and investigations (blood reports, X-rays, CT scans etc.), to the department where the call is being sent.
• Your phone call to the concerned person 1 department, warning them that such a call is on its way, and politely requesting them for help/ favor for your patient, goes a long way bypassing the 'red tape'. In certain instances, it is best that you take the call yourself. A call brought by the doctor himself, even by a humble house officer is usually given much consideration and a prompt response.
• Taking a call personally is especially advisable when, Urgent help/advice/response/appointment is required, Clinical details are complicated and perhaps you will be able to explain the details better, in person.