Safety-netting
Also called Safety net advice
Safety-netting is the advice you give a patient about which symptoms should bring them back, how urgently and to whom, recorded in the notes.
Why it matters in a workup
Safety-netting manages uncertainty. It tells the patient what to watch for while a diagnosis is still open or a referral is pending.
Record what you said in the words you used. The note protects the patient and shows the next clinician what the patient was told.
Example
Advised to call emergency services if chest pain occurs at rest or lasts longer than 15 minutes.
Put it into practice
- Name the specific symptoms to watch for
- Say how quickly to seek help and where
- Record the advice and whether written information was given
Frequently asked questions
Does safety-netting belong in a referral letter?
Yes. The receiving team should know what the patient was told to do if symptoms change while they wait.
General guidance on clinical documentation, not advice about any individual patient and not legal advice.
Glossary
Look up related terms
- Red flagsRed flags are history or examination features that raise the likelihood of a serious cause and call for prompt action or further assessment.
- Referral letterA referral letter asks another clinician a specific question about a patient and gives them the history and results they need to answer it.