What is care coordination and its significance in process measurement?

Care coordination refers to the organization of patient care activities and the sharing of information among all participants concerned with a patient's care to achieve safer and more effective care. The significance of care coordination in process measurement lies in its ability to facilitate streamlined patient care across multiple providers. This streamlining is crucial in ensuring that patients receive consistent and cohesive treatments and that all relevant healthcare professionals are informed and involved in the patient's care plan.

When care coordination is effective, it helps to prevent unnecessary duplications of services, reduces the likelihood of medical errors, and ensures that all aspects of a patient’s health are considered. This holistic approach leads to better patient outcomes and enhances the efficiency of the healthcare system. By measuring the processes involved in care coordination, healthcare organizations can identify areas for improvement, monitor adherence to best practices, and ultimately enhance the quality of care delivered to patients.

In contrast to the other options, care coordination is not solely focused on lowering healthcare costs, nor does it minimize the involvement of healthcare professionals or operate independently of patient outcomes. Each of these aspects is essential for ensuring that care is effective and responsive to patient needs.