A good transfer of care report should contain (Choose 3)

• A. The chief complaint
• B. Vital signs
• C. Pertinent physical exam findings
• D. Insurance information

Answer: (A)

When a transfer of care report is being prepared, focus on information that lets the next clinician quickly understand the patient’s problem, current status, and what was found on exam. The chief complaint explains why the patient sought care and sets the context for the handoff. Vital signs give a snapshot of the patient’s current stability and can reveal urgent issues or trends that need follow-up. Pertinent physical exam findings summarize the objective observations that support or clarify the chief complaint and guide immediate management.

Insurance information doesn’t directly impact clinical decision-making during a handoff, so it isn’t typically included in the transfer of care content. Keeping the report centered on the clinical picture helps ensure safe and efficient continuation of care.

Therefore, the three essential elements to include are the chief complaint, vital signs, and pertinent physical exam findings.