{"id":20560,"date":"2018-10-29T09:00:59","date_gmt":"2018-10-29T13:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.carecloud.com\/continuum\/?p=20560"},"modified":"2025-10-23T14:08:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T14:08:37","slug":"what-is-care-coordination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carecloud.com\/continuum\/what-is-care-coordination\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Care Coordination and Why is it Important?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Meghan Franklin<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Even if you\u2019ve never heard the term \u201c<\/span>care coordination<\/b>,\u201d you\u2019ve likely noticed when it was done well. Just as likely, you have noticed when it wasn\u2019t done well. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recently, I learned my 18-month-old son has a tree nut and lemon allergy. He was diagnosed after an episode of vomiting and hives led me to call my pediatrician. New to the world of allergic reactions, I almost hesitated to pick up the phone. As a new mom, I worried I was overreacting. <\/span>My son seems to be fine now<\/span><\/i>, I thought, <\/span>maybe something he ate just didn\u2019t agree with him<\/span><\/i>. Nevertheless, I called, and the pediatrician asked us to come in later that day. <\/span><\/p>\n

After a short consultation and examination in the pediatrician\u2019s office, the doctor referred us to an allergist and advised I get an appointment as soon as possible. She also wrote a prescription for an epinephrine injector, just in case my son experienced another, more serious allergic reaction. <\/span><\/p>\n

While driving home from the pediatrician\u2019s office, I received a call. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello?\u201d I said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Franklin? This is Mimi from Colorado Allergy and Asthma. I understand your son has been referred to us and I\u2019m calling to see if you\u2019d like to set up an appointment.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Wow<\/span><\/i>, I thought. <\/span>That\u2019s incredible care coordination. <\/span><\/i>Actually, I didn\u2019t think that <\/span>exactly<\/span><\/i> at the time, but that\u2019s exactly what impressed me and made me grateful for care providers who understand the importance of breaking down the silos in which care providers have historically operated. Before I got home, I had an appointment scheduled with the allergist. <\/span><\/p>\n

Later that evening, I received a call from my neighborhood pharmacy to inform me my son\u2019s epinephrine injector was ready for pick-up. This was thanks to electronic prescribing, which allows prescriptions to be sent directly from the ordering provider\u2019s office to the patient\u2019s pharmacy of choice. <\/span><\/p>\n

About a week after my son\u2019s appointment at the allergist, the physician\u2019s assistant who saw my son sent a detailed letter to my home and to my pediatrician, summarizing her findings and the plan of care.<\/span><\/p>\n

While this experience of care coordination may be a simple one, it made a difference to me and my family. The coordination between the pediatrician, the allergist, and the pharmacy improved our experience of care and helped ensure I took all the recommended follow-up steps as quickly as possible. The allergist\u2019s follow-up communication after my son\u2019s appointment also ensured my son\u2019s small care team \u2013 his parents, pediatrician, and allergist \u2013 were all on the same page about the next steps in his care plan. <\/span><\/p>\n

Care coordination<\/a> can mean a variety of different things, but ultimately, it is a patient-centered approach that strives to meet the needs and preferences of individuals while strengthening the caregiving capabilities of families and service providers. <\/span><\/p>\n

Other characteristics of care coordination include:<\/span><\/h3>\n