Continuity Of Care

Continuity of care is an approach to ensure that the patient-centered care team is cooperatively involved in ongoing healthcare management toward a shared goal of high-quality medical care. Continuity of care promotes patient safety and assures quality of care over time. Promoting continuity of care includes sharing thorough and concise patient medical information amongst providers and building trust between patients and their healthcare team. It also includes ensuring a patient has safe, coordinated transitions between different healthcare facilities and providers.

Continuity of Care Form

Rhode Island Department of Health regulations require any licensed healthcare facility that provides direct patient care to use the Continuity of Care form that is appropriate for the situation. As of January 2019, the following three updated forms are available for use.

• Continuity of Care Consultation and Referral Form: (formerly referred to as the Short Form) This form is to be used when a patient goes to a scheduled assessment, evaluation, or procedure at another facility.
• Continuity of Care Discharge/Transfer of Patient Form: (formerly referred to as the Long Form) This form is to be used when a facility is permanently discharging or transferring a patient to another facility.
• Continuity of Care Acute Care Transfer Form: This form is to be used for urgent or unplanned transfers for acute

All fields must be completed with current and accurate information.