Healthcare Coalition Launches Enhanced Website Offering Tools and Materials to Improve Patient Care During Transitio...( regimens including why they need t...),Health

regimens including why they need to take the medication and for how

long. Patients who carry their updated list will assist healthcare

providers in ensuring safe transference of medication information.

-- Medication Reconciliation Essential Data Specifications: These

consensus elements will help healthcare professionals collect, transmit

and receive critical medication information needed when patients move

from one practice setting or level of care to another. The use of

these elements in the reconciliation process required by the Joint

Commission could help reduce medication errors.

-- Elements of Excellence Transitions of Care Checklist: This list

provides a detailed description of effective patient transfer between

practice settings. This process can help to ensure that patients and

their critical medical information are transferred safely, timely, and

efficiently.

In an effort to engage additional organizations seeking to support NTOCC's work and increase their involvement with the Coalition, NTOCC has also created an additional level of membership. Associate Members receive advanced notification of tools and resources being made available for public use and the opportunity, via a secured area on the website, to comment on coalition activities, initiatives and tools.

"The Associate Member program is the result of a multitude of requests we have received in the past year-and-a-half from a variety of groups to become more involved in NTOCC," Lattimer explained.

Organizations wanting to increase their involvement with NTOCC can submit an online application for Associate Membership. In addition, individuals may subscribe to receive e-mail updates on future NTOCC activities.

Transitions of care include situations in which a patient moves from primary care to specialty physicians or moves within the hospital including
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