title: Facilitating continuity of care. The role of the patient care coordinator.
abstract: Continuity of care is essential for children with cardiac disease. The PCC works to ensure that these children continue to receive necessary care postdischarge. By collaborating with members of the health-care team, the PCC is able to coordinate appropriate services for patients in the Cardiovascular Program. The PCC acts as a resource for the interdisciplinary team by identifying postdischarge care options within the community. The PCC also furnishes information to community providers about individual patient care needs. Educating payers in regard to assessed postdischarge needs is another facet of the PCC role. In essence, the PCC provides a link among patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, community providers, and payers. This link facilitates continuity of care for patients in the Cardiovascular Program.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Program, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000458:organization & administration*