A single integrated record — is it the answer to delivering good
community care?
Terry Roberts, a management consultant who was formerly a
health authority director of commissioning, discusses the basic needs for
the creation of a useful integrated healthcare and socialcare record.
abstract
The development of a single integrated patient/client record could in
theory enhance communication between agencies leading to better decision
making and improved assessment of risks. But improved outcomes for clients
will not happen unless there is clarity about the purposes behind the single
record and clear definition of the data to be included in the document. A
single integrated record will not in itself result in a seamless and
integrated whole system of care, and issues of governance and integrated
management of the care system need to be considered as well. Access to
information does not in itself guarantee improved decision making, and
assessment of risks and managers must not lose sight of the importance of
personal contact and full engagement of the client if better outcomes are to
be secured.
Br J Healthcare Comput Info Manage 2004; 21(4): 22–3. |
