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Continuity of care for older hospital patients: a call for action

Paper that focuses on the experiences of older people with multiple health problems, and particularly on their experiences inside hospital. Continuity is especially important for these older patients because: they are more likely to spend time in hospital and to be in hospital for longer; if they are frail, a stay in hospital can be life-changing; and, regrettably, in some hospitals and some wards older patients are exposed to unacceptable standards of care. It draws attention to an overlooked but important topic: the contribution that continuity of care makes to the quality of care experienced in hospital by patients with multiple health problems aged 70 years and older, and also how it affects the experience of the people closest to them.

Details
Published: 
2012
Author: 
Jocelyn Cornwell
Ros Levenson
Lara Sonola et al
Publisher: 
The King's Fund