What does the term "continuity of care" mean?

The term "continuity of care" signifies an ongoing care approach for patients as they move between different healthcare services, ensuring that their health needs are consistently met throughout their treatment journey. This concept is crucial for maintaining the quality and effectiveness of care, especially when patients interact with various healthcare providers or transition from one facility to another, such as from a hospital to outpatient services.

By providing seamless coordination between specialties, effective communication among care teams, and a comprehensive understanding of the patient's history and needs, continuity of care enhances patient outcomes, reduces the risk of errors, and improves patient satisfaction. This comprehensive and ongoing treatment approach helps ensure that patients do not face disruptions in care, which is essential for managing chronic conditions or following post-operative instructions.

In contrast, single treatment sessions focus on isolated issues, the total number of providers can vary widely and does not necessarily reflect ongoing care, and temporary pauses in treatment do not contribute to the continuity of care, which relies on a sustained and cohesive approach to patient management.