Quality Care Coordination: Improving Transitions of Care
| Learning Objectives: |
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Discuss scope of health care-related transition of care problem and its impact on senior care |
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Discuss and review tools to optimize patient safety during transitions of care |
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Review ways to raise awareness of transition of care issues |
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Highlight role of healthcare practitioners on minimizing transition of care issues |
Overview:
The concept of ‘Transitions of Care’ includes the spectrum of situations in which a patient moves from one healthcare setting or practitioner to another. This may include a transition from a primary care to a specialty physician or a move within the hospital such as a move from the emergency department to surgery or intensive care. A discharge from a hospital may mean a patient goes home after a temporary stay in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility, or hospice. Patients, especially older persons, face significant challenges when moving from one level of care or practice setting to another in the healthcare system.
During transitions, patients with complex medical needs can experience poorer outcomes due to errors of communication between healthcare providers and between providers and patients/family caregivers. Adverse outcomes that can occur include continuation or recurrence of symptoms, temporary or permanent disability, and death.
Unsuccessful transitions also can increase healthcare utilization, such as emergency department visits or re-hospitalization. As healthcare expenditures rise at an unsustainable rate, patients, providers, and policymakers are increasingly focused on restraining unnecessary resource utilization, such as preventable re-hospitalizations.
Faculty
 W. Gary Erwin, PharmD
Senior Vice President, Professional Services
President, Omnicare Senior Health Outcomes
Omnicare, Inc.
Program Date
Thursday, October 2, 2008
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
 Presentation
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