A strong communication and efficient coordination are required among various health care service providers, working together to provide appropriate delivery of health care services. In case, various stake holders in the network of health care providers fail to exercise such competent organization and management, patients will have to bear undesirable consequences1. This situation can lead to amplified costs and decreased quality of health care services.
Studies have shown that the communication gaps between health care providers escort towards the reduction of care coordination and readmissions2. It has been originated that both hospitals and primary care physicians experiences parallel challenges like lack of time and difficulty in reaching other practitioners resulting in scant information evaluation, medication list inconsistencies and a lack of certainty with respect to liabilities for impending tests and home health2.The communication between patients and relevant medical staff is also very crucial, particularly at the time of admission and discharge. This emphasizes that there are numerous challenges in care coordination, information dealing, follow-up care and treatment management.
The improved care coordination is all about meeting patient’s needs and preferences, aimed to achieve the ultimate goal of delivery of high quality and tremendous value responsibilities. This objective can only be achieved if patients’ needs are known in advance and communicated at the right time to the appropriate people. The definite care coordination actions include forming accountability and recognizing responsibilities, helping with transformation of care, appraising patients’ demands thus establishing dedicated plan of care, sharing knowledge, monitoring and follow-up and supporting clients ‘self-management goals3.
The patient intensified healing home is the center of care that provides the relationship based primary health care by partnering with patients and their families by understating their different needs, civilization, values and preferences3. This approach help sufferer’s in attaining to manage their own care at the level of their own choices. The medical home approach has been found to achieve higher attributions and decreased costs and an improved patients and providers acquaintance of care.
Application of Health information technology into care management is demanding for adequate information interchange and enhanced intercommunication. By promoting safe electronic health records, status and making health information available electronically when and where it is needed can improve the quality of care and make health care more cost effective. The heath IT can empower practitioners with exact and entire information about a client’s health. The information can be shared securely and by faster methods through internet. This implies that health problems can be diagnosed sooner with reduced medical errors and safer care can be provided and much lower costs. Telephone outreach and “telehealth” is an ingenious and cost-effective method for care coordination which can target high cost and high-risk clients. Growing use of remote monitoring, telemedicine and mobile technology platforms has made it possible to transform the delivery of care by engaging the patient outside of clinical trials, which has reduced costs and improved health outcomes.
Therefore, I urge all clinicians to work in collaboration as it is the key element in providing preeminent treatment and results in best outcomes regarding patient’s health and quality of life.
Ms. Shamma Tabassum
Internee Physiotherapist
Liaquat National School of Physiotherapy
Liaquat National Hospital
REFERENCES
- Help your patients engage in their health care. January 2015. Agency for healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. Available From: http://www.arhrq.gov/professionals/quality-patient-safety/patients-familyengagement/html
- Communication lapses between clinicians lead to poor coordination, readmissions. March 26, 2015. Available from: fiercehealthcare.com/story/communication-lapses-between-clinicians-lead-poor-carecoordination- readmissions/ 2015-03-26
- Kaplan R. Supporting shared Informed Healthcare Decision Making. May 2015. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. Available From: http://www.ahrq.gov/cpi/about/profile/video/kaplan.html