Patient Safety in Inpatient Dermatology

This review examines best practices to ensure patient and clinician safety when performing inpatient dermatology consults.

Inpatient settings may not be optimized for dermatologic procedures and workflows, leading to unique challenges in ensuring patient safety. During consultations, dermatologists should focus on procedural safety in the inpatient setting, communicating clearly with the primary team, and supporting the transition from inpatient to outpatient care.

Best practices emphasize standardization, clear communication, and workflow optimization to minimize safety risks during inpatient dermatology consultations. Dermatologists providing consultations in the inpatient setting should focus on patient and occupational safety during the consultation, particularly biopsies and procedures; optimize workflows for processing of dermatology specimens; and clearly communicate results and management recommendations. During the consultation, dermatologists should establish clear communication with both the primary team and patient to ensure proper implementation of the care plan and timely follow-up after discharge.