What it means
Continuity of care means the client's care is coordinated, with information passed on fully, when shifts change, when they move between units, or when they go home or to another facility. Gaps in continuity are a common cause of errors. Handoff reports, medication reconciliation and discharge teaching all support it.
For the nurse
Give a complete handoff report, using a structured format such as SBAR, and make sure follow-up appointments and instructions are clear at discharge.
Related terms
referral
Sending a client to another professional, service or agency for care or help that they need.
handoff report
The passing of information and responsibility for a client's care from one nurse or team to another.
medication reconciliation
Comparing a client's full list of current medicines with new orders at each change in care, to find and fix differences.