What it means
Connecting a client with someone else who can meet a need: a social worker, dietitian, physical or occupational therapistok-yoo-PAY-shun-ul THAIR-uh-pistA health professional who helps people do the everyday tasks of living and working.Full entry , home health, a support group or a community agency. To refer is the verb. A referral is part of planning care and of getting a client ready to go home.
For the nurse
On the exam, a referral is the right answer when the need is outside nursing's scope or needs another service, such as money for medicines (social worker) or swallowing problems (speech therapist). Explain the referral to the client and write it in the plan of care.
In a chart
"Client unable to afford prescriptions; referral made to social work."
At a glance
| Spanish | derivación, remisión |
|---|---|
| Also written | refer, referrals, refers |
Related terms
occupational therapist
A health professional who helps people do the everyday tasks of living and working.
plan of care
A written plan that lists a client's problems, goals and the nursing actions to reach them.
health care provider
The licensed professional who diagnoses and prescribes for a client, such as a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.