An information model for coordination of referrals to community care

Abstract

Health systems are under the stresses of rising demand and restricted funding. Health authorities have the challenges of managing demand and delivering services whilst staying within budgets. This research found that many admissions of the frail elderly can be avoided if processes and supporting systems are in place to facilitate diversion to appropriate care in the patient’s own home, or residential care facility. This paper reports on a case study of the ACCA (Advanced Community Care Association) single entry point model of community care referral and reporting, using the eCare™ application. The study reported on in this paper indicates that this type of system and technology can provide the following benefits: •makes the referral process easier, •improves coordination with community-based services, •improves the accuracy of clinical information communications, •better enables community care service providers to plan and provide care through improved availability of information, •improves patient outcomes, and •delivers financial benefits.