OET Discharge Letter: Format, Samples & Tips

What is an OET Discharge Letter?

A discharge letter OET stands as a professional written contact document, which summarizes a hospital stay of patients, their treatment journey, and their condition of discharge. Its intent is very clear and neat and is directly indicated for other healthcare experts, such as a GP or a nurse who is going to handle the patient’s ongoing care. Now that you have a basic idea of the discharge letter,you must understand that it ensures a streamlined handover and vital follow-up instructions.

Aren’t you now wondering what an OET discharge letter format is all about and are its key components? Don’t worry, the next section is designed to offer you the right information about the same. So, let’s read on!

OET Discharge Letter Format & Key Components

While crafting a discharge letter to patient, you have to keep the necessities (key components) in mind, which are mentioned below. Let’s step on and read about it in detail: -

1. Date: - Start with indicating the date of the letter.
2. Recipient’s Details: - It includes the full name, address, and title of the expert who is receiving it.
3. Patient Reference: - Now add the full name of the patient, along with their date of birth/age.
4. Salutation: - Now it is time for a formal greeting.
5. Introduction: - It is one of the main components of a hospital discharge letter and here you have to mention the full name of the patient, as well as their admission reason, with the letter’s purpose.
6. Body: - Here you will offer the hospital stay details, ongoing health status, and treatment procedure.
7. Discharge Recommendations: - Just offer a few follow-up instructions for further care.
8. Closing Declaration: - Write elaborately about further help/care.
9. Closing: - Choose to end up with a formal wrap-up, such as Yours sincerely.
10. Signature: - Write your name (sign) with the designation.

Scoring Criteria for OET Discharge Letter

The OET Discharge Letter stands to be evaluated as per its ability to convey crucial information about patients to other medical experts. In addition, evaluators use the best six criteria from purpose to content and language. Besides, these criteria certify that the discharge letter OET fulfils the recipient's needs and is right as per the medical atmosphere. Read below to acknowledge these criteria one by one!

Samples for OET Discharge Letter

As you are now aware of what an OET Discharge Letter mean and what is its scoring criteria, let’s just hop onto practising for the same.

So, we have provided you with the best two OET writing samples to train your mind in the right direction. Let’s check them out!

Sample 1: OET Discharge Letter 

Letter Response: -

Ms Georgine Ponsford

Resident Community Nurse

Community Retirement Home

103 Light Street

Newtown

10 February 2019

Dear Ms Ponsford,

Re: Lionel Ramamurthy, aged 63

Mr Lionel Ramamurthy was admitted on 4 February 2019, having contracted pneumonia. He is now ready for discharge back into your care tomorrow.

On admission, he was experiencing fevers and rigors. He suffered dyspnoea, wheezing, and sleeplessness. He had chest and abdominal pain due to prolonged, persistent coughing.

After a week in hospital, he has stabilised and his breathing problems are now resolved. However, he still experiences some chest and abdominal pain, with a dry cough. His nursing management in the hospital initially consisted of a walking frame and assistance with showering and dressing. Mr Ramamurthy is now more independent. He is also able to walk about slowly without assistance, and shower and use the toilet independently.

Paracetamol may be administered as needed if chest and abdominal pain persists, and Mr Ramamurthy should be kept warm. Please encourage oral fluids, and ensure that he sits up, rather than lies down, whenever possible to ensure postural drainage. He should ambulate regularly and continue with deep breathing and coughing exercises.

Mr Ramamurthy was very weak on admission to hospital, but has gained weight with the dietitian's input. He will need ongoing monitoring of his diet.

If you have any queries, please contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Charge Nurse

Sample 2: OET Discharge Letter 

Let’s solve the second one of the best OET writing sample for nurses for thorough practice: -

Letter Response: -

Ms Cathy Ina

Community Nurse

6 Buchanan St

Glasgow G69 6DY

United Kingdom

30 July 2021

Dear Ms Ina,

Re: Ms Anna Dijana, 42-year-old woman

I am writing to discharge Ms. Anna Dijana, who is recovering from external fixation, fasciotomies, right lower secondary to the right proximal tibia fracture and lateral tibial plateau fracture, along with Compartment Syndrome. She requires your continuity of care and management.

On 15th July 2021, Ms. Dijana had difficulty balancing weight on her right leg. As a result, she fell off the stairs and injured her right leg. She was immediately brought to the operating room for an emergency procedure and was administered pain medications. Postoperatively, she rebounded well, and her vital signs became stable.

Presently, her wounds are recovering well and there is no sign of infection, swelling, or pain. It would be greatly appreciated if you could educate Ms. Dijana on how to assess her wound by monitoring the area for any signs and symptoms of infection and notify us if any unusual changes occur around the wound. Additionally, please brief her on the way to keep the wound sterile and away from any object that might cause infection. It would also be helpful if you could inform the visitors about wound care management.

Should you have any further inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours Truly,

Registered Nurse

Common Mistakes to Avoid in OET Discharge Letters

This section is going to focus on a variety of common errors that have to be avoided in OET letter writing, from content-related errors to others. Let’s unlock them in detail: -

1. Content-Related Mistakes: - There stand to be various content-related errors in the OET discharge letter, which include not including major information, irrelevant details, and more. Let’s delve into them one by one!

• Not stating the purpose openly
• Including inapplicable information
• Leaving out key facts
• Writing too much

2. Language and Style Mistakes: - These language and style mistakes in the hospital discharge letter include distinct types, such as jargon, and more. So, let’s refer below for a better understanding!

• Using confusing or overly long sentences
• Using an impolite or judgmental tone
• Making grammatical mistakes
• Misusing passive voice
• Overusing or misusing brackets
• Incorrectly stating to the patient
• Using short forms
• Wrong use of abbreviations or medical jargon
• Using casual words & phrases

3. Structure and Organization Mistakes: - It stands to be the most common mistake in the OET discharge letter for doctor, which includes poorly organized paragraphs or an illogical flow of information. As a result, the letter becomes difficult to read and acknowledge. Before wasting a minute, let’s refer to below!

• Not planning before writing
• Improper reading structure
• Improper information sequence or paragraphing
• Not proofreading

4. Other Mistakes: - These mistakes include -

• Copying case notes verbatim
• Poor time management
• Misunderstanding the task

Being aware of such common errors allows you to focus on accuracy, conciseness, and clarity; thus, you can expressively boost your OET discharge letter writing skills.

Tips for Writing an Effective Discharge Letter

Let’s step forward with this section and delve into the best tips for drafting an OET letter of discharge; refer below: -

1. Apprehend the Purpose: Distinctly mention the motive for the letter, i.e., patient discharge, and the demanded proceedings.
2. Classify Relevant Facts: With proper care, just go through case notes and highlight crucial details for ongoing medication, such as a summary of ongoing treatment, diagnosis, & discharge plan.
3. Letter Structuring: Employ a basic format of the letter, which includes the date, recipient details, patient reference, formal salutation, clear introduction, organized body paragraphs, and a concluding section.
4. Emphasis on Precision: Make sure of spelling, grammar, information derived, and punctuation.
5. Certify Precision and Shortness: Review the key details effectively and exclude information that’s beside the point. Also, use clear and concise language by avoiding jargon and maintaining a formal tone.
6. Frame Suitable Follow-Up Care: Provide clear prescription details, changes in routine, future medical schedules, & complete directions for care after discharge.

Conclusion

So, we are at the end of this blog, wrapping up the key details about the OET discharge letter, which stands to be important in the OET Exam success. Moreover, by understanding the letter’s structure and key components, avoiding typical errors, and using effective tips for drafting the discharge letter, experts can express the patient’s discharge clearly and formally.

Apart from this, focus on precision, format, & conciseness to outshine your OET Exam for nurses and other professionals, and boost your overall performance.

FAQs

1. What is a discharge letter in OET?

Ans. In respect of the Occupational English Test (OET), a letter of discharge stands as a formal document that is written by either a doctor or a nurse summarizing a stay of patient in the hospital. Moreover, it also consists of the information that has to be continued after discharge. In simple terms, it communicates the medical history of the patient, the treatment received, and their ongoing condition.

2. How to write a discharge letter?

Ans. For writing an OET discharge letter, a healthcare professional must outline key details of the patient’s hospital stay, which is quite useful for their future treatments or official records. Besides, the best practices for writing this letter should include stressing essential details, discharge instructions, accuracy, and more.

3. What common mistakes should I avoid in an OET discharge letter?

Ans. While writing an OET discharge letter, there are a variety of common mistakes that must be avoided. These include poor organization, irrelevant and insufficient details, unclear purpose, and using informal ways of communication or jargon. Apart from this, you must focus on writing a piece of clear, concise, and vital information.

4. How is an OET discharge letter evaluated by assessors?

Ans. There stands to be six different criteria on which the OET discharge letter is being assessed. It includes the following: -

1. Purpose
2. Content
3. Clarity and Conciseness
4. Style & Genre
5. Layout & Organization
6. Language

5. What is the format of an OET discharge letter?

Ans. OET discharge letters follow an official structure, including: -

1. Date
2. Recipient’s Details
3. Patient Reference
4. Salutation
5. Introduction
6. Body
7. Discharge Plan/Recommendations
8. Concluding statement
9. Closing
10. Signature and Designation