Use these original tools to organize an inquiry across locations. They preserve the evidence and practical next steps without deciding which treatment is appropriate. Complete them privately and bring clinical-fit questions to the relevant professionals.
Tool 1: Keep each answer with its location
- Provider, office and jurisdiction:
- Exact service and person delivering it:
- Main question the person wants answered:
- Relevant credentials claimed:
- Local authority or primary source for verification:
- Approach explained by the provider:
- Included work and service limits:
- Currency, quoted cost and separate charges:
- Contract or cancellation question still open:
- Language and interpretation arrangement:
- Person who answered and date:
- Supporting document or official source:
NIMH and SAMHSA provide US questions about prospective care providers and signs of quality treatment. When using them in an inquiry elsewhere, ask for the relevant local explanation and verification route. SAMHSA checklist.
Tool 2: The handoff contact card
- Current provider and responsible contact:
- Receiving provider and appointment status:
- Each contact’s location and time zone:
- Agreed call time confirmed by both parties:
- Permissions and secure records process to confirm:
- Clinical question for the treating professional:
- Practical task, task owner and completion evidence:
- Contact for a missed connection:
- Review date and unresolved items:
Review before relying on the record
Mark “unconfirmed” where an answer is missing. Distinguish an official source from a provider’s statement and a provider’s statement from a family assumption. Keep a dated copy of the record so later changes can be identified.
HHS provides US guidance about health-information sharing. For another jurisdiction, obtain the applicable local explanation through the receiving professionals and verified authorities. A comparison worksheet cannot establish permission or professional authority by itself.