Care coordination is the organization of a patient’s care across multiple health care providers, and one of the responsibilities of a patient’s primary care provider is to coordinate care along with the patient’s other providers of services. The PCP is at the center of the patient’s care which is why sharing information with the PCP is so important, as noted in this Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services article.
When specialists, hospitals and ancillary providers render services for the patient, it is important to provide information regarding these services to their PCP.
When this communication with the PCP does not occur, patients may receive fragmented care resulting in:
- Repetitive or unnecessary tests
- Potentially harmful drug interactions
- Multiple trips to the doctor’s office and other negative situations which cause stress and frustration for the patient
- Patients with multiple complex conditions or chronically ill are more likely to have an increase in health issues
In worst-case scenarios, patients may experience negative outcomes such as increased use of emergency or urgent care, medication errors, lack of appropriate home care following a discharge from a hospital or other health care facility, etc.
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities should provide the patient’s discharge summary to the PCP following an inpatient stay.
Patients benefit mentally when they know their PCP is knowledgeable regarding all their care and can help them understand the importance of working with their providers to improve or maintain their health. You can communicate with the patient’s PCP about the services you’ve rendered using electronic health records or by using this form.
How ever you communicate with your patient’s PCP, please ensure you provide information about any care provided. Providers working together to communicate regarding a patient’s care promotes better patient health.