Enhancing communication and care coordination: A scoping review of encounter notification systems between emergency departments and primary care providers

Objective: This scoping review aims to explore the current state of encounter notification systems (ENS) between emergency departments (EDs) and primary care providers (PCPs), focusing on their mechanisms, effectiveness, impacts, and challenges in healthcare settings.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar to identify relevant literature on ENS between EDs and PCPs. Eligible studies were selected based on predefined criteria, and data were synthesized narratively.

Results: The initial search yielded 1,396 articles, with 29 included in the review. Studies highlighted the significance of encounter notifications in improving communication and care coordination between EDs and PCPs, leading to enhanced patient outcomes. However, challenges such as technological barriers, privacy concerns, and variations in healthcare settings were identified.

Conclusion: ENS play a crucial role in enhancing communication and care coordination between EDs and PCPs. Despite challenges, these systems offer substantial benefits and opportunities for improving patient care in the ED-primary care continuum. Future research should focus on addressing implementation barriers and evaluating long-term impacts to optimize the effectiveness of ENS in this context.