[Continuity of care: role of the link nurse].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the link nurse programme after 2 years of operation.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
Primary vare in the towns of Sant Boi de Llobregat and Sant Vicenç dels Horts (Barcelona) and the County Hospital of Sant Boi, Spain.


METHODS
Patients discharged from the hospital (October 2000-October 2002) and who needed ongoing care in the primary care centre or at home.


METHODS
Joint visits of the link nurse and the hospital unit's supervisor to work out the care plan before discharge. The PC team was informed of the transfer of the patient and his/her care plan. Subsequent home visits were by the link nurse, the primary care team or both together.


RESULTS
854 patients (57.6% women) were studied. Women's mean age was 69.82 (SD, 4.7) and men's was 61.7 (SD, 9.6) (P<.0001). The link nurse made 2241 hospital visits, 81 home visits, and 434 phone calls. There were 636 co-ordinations. The most common nursing diagnosis made was physical mobility disorder (61% of patients).


CONCLUSIONS
A mechanism was created to improve continuity from hospital discharge to contact with the PC team. The link nurse coordinates and manages patients before they are handed over to PC.
Jódar-Solà
G
G
DAP Baix Llobregat Litoral, El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. gjodar.cp.ics@gencat.net
Cadena-Andreu
A
A
Parellada-Esquius
N
N
Martínez-Roldán
J
J
D000368:Aged; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009729:Nursing; D015397:Program Evaluation