Improving the transition of care between hospitals and the community

Health Translation SA wants to better use the rich supply of healthcare data in South Australia to enhance and improve continuity of care. To ensure a coordinated and smooth progression of care as people transition between our hospitals and the community.

Project Description

Health Translation SA (HTSA) is working with our partners in education, research and healthcare services to address a significant health system challenge. To develop coordinated and smooth progression of care as people transition between our acute and primary care sectors (known as the ‘primary/acute care interface’)

As this is a significant and multi-faceted challenge to address our project will focus on one key aspect: access to and timely flow of accurate information between care providers and the patient. We are exploring how we can build on current digital health initiatives and health service reform to improve care as people transition between the hospital and community setting.

During September and October 2020 a situational analysis is being conducted. The purpose of this is to identify the barriers to the access and timely flow of relevant health information and to collect information on the datasets, data projects and data expertise relevant to continuity of care across the primary-acute care interface. The analysis will ensure we have a comprehensive understanding of patient and clinician needs as well as current activities and gaps.

The Project is being driven by the Primary/Acute Care Interface Data Project Steering Committee comprising healthcare professionals, researchers and community members.

This committee meets monthly and reports to the HTSA Board.

For more information on the project please read our Background Briefing Paper.

Community Participation Opportunities

As the aim of this project is to develop a coordinated and smooth progression of care between the primary and acute care sectors, it is important that we encompass and understand the patient perspective in all aspects of the project.

As the project evolves, there will be several opportunities for community members to be involved. At the moment, we are inviting people to share their experience of the healthcare system and what information they think their health professionals should have as they transition between care providers. 

We are looking to recruit 16 people to participate in focus groups to be held 19th-23rd October at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). More information can be found here.

Later this year, we will be holding a public forum. Details are yet to be finalised, so please sign up to the HTSA newsletter to keep updated on project activities.