How to Maintain Continuity of Care With Locum Tenens

Continuity of care is important to patients, as it allows them to ensure their care is uninterrupted and
minimizes having to repeat everything at new doctor visits. However, this can be more challenging when
the facility hires locum tenens workers. With locum tenens workers, the doctors can change quite often,
so it is hard to make sure there is continuity of care. Some of the ways to do this include the following. 

Use a Pool of Locum Tenens Workers

Using a pool of locum tenens workers means the workers will already have a relationship with the
patients when they come to work for the facility a second or third time. Though the workers may rotate, it
will be the same people each time, helping locum tenens employers continue to provide continuity of care
even though the workers have short-term assignments. 

Do More Comprehensive Handovers

More comprehensive handovers can help to ensure the next locum tenens worker has the information
they need to treat patients. When writing reports, it is crucial to be as thorough as possible so the next
doctor can read the information and know what should happen next. It helps prevent the patient from
having to go over their own medical history and ensures doctors know what the patient is waiting on or
what they might need. 

Provide Access to Patient Records

Keeping HIPAA in mind, it is crucial to allow access to patient records so they can see the care received
and what is needed. By providing access to patient records, doctors can quickly catch up on what care
the patient has received before the visit and ensure the patient gets the same level of care every time.
This helps patients feel more at ease, as the doctor already knows what has been done previously. It also
helps prevent any issues with medication or treatments that may overlap and could be dangerous. 

Have Consistent Policies and Procedures in Place

It is important to have policies and procedures in place to help ensure patients always receive the same
level of care. Locum tenens workers should be provided information on the policies and procedures to
ensure they understand exactly what to do and what the patients will expect. This can help to ensure
patients will always get excellent care with the facility, even if they’re working with a doctor who’s new to
them. 

Provide an Orientation and Training

A thorough orientation and proper training can help locum tenens workers settle in faster. They’ll be able
to get to know the facility, learn about the rules and procedures in place for patient care, and get to know
some of the patients. This allows them to jump in and start working right away when the orientation and
training are over, helping to ensure patients continue to receive excellent care. 

Healthcare facilities focused on making sure patients are happy with the care they receive will want to
focus on providing continuity of care. Doing so can help the patients feel more comfortable and ensure
they get the care they need. It can also help prevent potential issues and ensure patients are more
comfortable with the care they receive. To provide this while working with locum tenens workers, be sure
to follow all of the tips here.