title: Transitions of care: professional expectations.
abstract: Successful cross-setting care transitions require timely, accurate and sufficient communication of clinical information between healthcare providers, so that downstream providers can immediately assume responsibility for patient care. However, despite our desire to provide the highest quality care to our patients, much variability exists in the frequency and effectiveness of communication during transitions. This article describes care transitions using case studies and a review of current policy, and then proposes professional standards. To define professional standards for care transitions, the authors draw upon their combined experience with licensure, regulation and quality improvement. They also present information about the Department of Health's Continuity of Care Form and Healthcentric Advisors' Best Practice Measures for Safe Transitions. Both tools establish core expectations for communication that can improve patients' experiences and health outcomes, as well as facilitate cross-setting collaboration, relationship building, and referral patterns.
authors.affiliation: Senior Scientist with Healthcentric Advisors, Providence, RI, and is affiliated with the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
authors.forename: Rosa R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Baier
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Keough
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Care transitions; communication; cross-setting; patient safety; professional standards