Continuity of Medical Care: Outpatient Clinic, Ambulance, Hospital

The continuity of medical care is a mandatory requirement of the system for the quality control and safety of healthcare in Russia. The continuity of the treatment and diagnostic process guarantees positive treatment outcomes, prevents complications, and reduces mortality rates. Any disruption in continuity leads to delays in diagnoses, ineffective treatment, unnecessary testing, and the heightened risk of medical errors. The transfer of patients and medical information needs to be standardized to optimize interaction between federal centres, regional hospitals, and outpatient clinics. Modern information technologies can quickly provide access to complete patient data during all stages of care and significantly enhance the effectiveness of medical services. How can the continuity of medical care be ensured between individual medical institutions and the different levels of care? How can all the components of regional healthcare systems be integrated to ensure the continuity of diagnoses and treatment for patients?