A new patient navigation model of care to support older adults in transitions of care: Key considerations for implementation for policy-makers and health leaders

Abstract

A Patient Navigation (PN) Model of Care was introduced in a large metropolitan hospital in Ontario (Canada) to support transitions in care for older adults in 2019. The patient navigator is a community social worker or “community transitional lead” embedded in the hospital’s in care teams to assist with discharge planning and provide follow-up care to older adults, their families, and/or care partners for up to 90 days. Initially, the PN program supported acute care patients and has since expanded in the Emergency Department and Reactivation Care Centre. In this cohort retrospective observational study, we described the new PN Model of Care by analyzing the clinical notes collected by the patient navigator. This article provides preliminary insights for health leaders who are interested in implementing this novel PN model to improve transitions of care in a hospital setting. Funding was provided by the SLAIGHT Family Foundation.