Comparison of continuing care communication.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and compare the patient-care communication exchanged between personnel in hospitals and nursing homes (NHs) and hospitals and home health agencies (HHAs) in referrals of elderly patients using an adaptation of classic communication theory. Little research on patient-care communication across organizational settings has been reported. This study offers baseline information about inter-organizational communication and insight into barriers to patient care communication.


METHODS
A retrospective, descriptive study using a convenience sample of 455 medical records of referrals to NHs and 300 to HHAs.


METHODS
Medical records were audited and a Referral Data Inventory (with established reliability and validity) was completed for each of the records reviewed. Data were collected between January and June 1995.


RESULTS
Greater amounts of referral data were transferred to NHs, than to HHAs. Patient information was composed largely of background and medical data, followed by some nursing care data and limited psychosocial data. Hospitals employed more formal channels of communication in referring patients to NHs than to HHAs, and communicated information more promptly. Some organizational factors related to both the referring hospitals and receiving organizations resulted in discrepancies in patient-care communication.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuity of patient care involves a series of coordinating linkages across time, settings, providers, and consumers of health care. Communication is a core task in coordinating patient care. Increased and improved inter-organizational communication is needed when patients are discharged to nursing homes or home health agencies.
Anderson
M A
MA
University of Illinois, Chicago College of Nursing, Quad Cities Regional Program, Moline, USA. MAA928@uic.edu
Helms
L B
LB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002641:Chicago; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards; D009735:Nursing Homes; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies