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Academy News: October 2003 Commitment to record keeping improves communication We have all been there before. A patient moves to the area and brings his/her medical records from an out-of-town allergist/immunologist. A thorough investigation of skin tests and immunotherapy records is tremendously frustrating and time consuming as the information appears to be in some sort of foreign language. The patient is disgruntled that testing needs to be repeated and allergen extracts redone. Unfortunately, since allergists have highly variable methods of documenting skin tests and formulations for allergen extracts, this has become an all too familiar scenario. Imagine being a nephrologist who receives the results of a chemistry panel without knowing the reference ranges or the units in which the values are measured. These tests are useless to him/her. Allergist/immunologists encounter similar circumstances on a regular basis. The AAAAI has a long-term goal of alleviating this problem. A working committee, led by Linda Cox, MD, FAAAAI, has developed a method to enhance documentation of skin test results as well as immunotherapy prescriptions and delivery. Template forms, which should be customized for each practitioner, are available on the Academy Web site. Some features allergist/immunologists might find useful include outlines for charting skin test results (with allergen dilution used), prescribing immunotherapy vaccines and documenting delivery of injections and adverse reactions. Thus far, the response has been very positive. Many different groups have encouraged the use of this documentation, including the eastern and southwestern allergy societies. The training program directors also overwhelmingly support this initiative for educating FITs. If we are trained to use these forms, then it will be easier for us to implement them in our practices. This way, as future leaders of the allergy community, we will not only be comfortable with the standardized charting, but will also be able to encourage its use among other allergists in the communities in which we settle. Wouldn’t it be nice to receive medical records from an outside allergist and know exactly what the patient is allergic to and how the extracts are formulated? As more of us follow the Academy’s recommended charting, the more likely this is to happen. This new commitment to improving and organizing our record keeping will not only improve communication between allergist/immunologists, but will also enhance the reputation of our specialty. Most importantly, as the prevalence of allergic diseases increases, this improved approach will allow us to better enhance our patients’ quality of care. |
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