Principles for safe and high-quality transitions of care
The Commission has developed a set of principles to guide safe and high-quality transitions of care. The principles are fundamental to the Commission’s transition of care projects. The consistent application of these principles within practice, standards, policy and guidance is seen as a requirement for safe transitions of care.
Why we need consistent principles?
As a patient’s healthcare needs increase in complexity, there is often increased interaction with different parts of the healthcare system resulting in more transitions of care. Due to this increased exposure, it is also often the most vulnerable (older people, people with disability and chronic and complex conditions) who at greater risk of harm.
Where do the principles apply?
The principles and their enablers apply to transitions of care wherever healthcare is received including primary, community, acute, subacute, aged care, and disability care. The principles underpin the Commission’s transition of care projects and the consistent application of these principles is required for safe transitions of care within practice, standards, policy and guidance.
The principles for safe and high-quality transitions of care are:
- Transitions of care are person-centred
- There is multidisciplinary collaboration to support the transition of care
- There is an enduring, comprehensive and secure record system to document and access information about the person’s current and ongoing care
- There is ongoing continuity of care
