From 2004 to 2007, Bispebjerg University Hospital, the City of Copenhagen, and the general practitioners in Copenhagen collaborated on a quality improvement project that focused on integration and implementation of rehabilitation programmes for four chronic conditions. These include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic heart failure and falls among the elderly. The Østerbro healthcare centre, which opened in 2005 as part of the project, provides the rehabilitation programmes to patients with one or more of the health conditions mentioned above. These patients are referred by their general practitioners (GP). A working group was established for each condition comprising hospital department leaders, GPs, and healthcare personnel such as nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians. Each group integrated care horizontally and developed clinical guidelines. The multidisciplinary programmes have become part of routine care for patients with chronic conditions. The exception is diabetes, which was excluded because of resource constraints.
Horizontal Integration in Denmark
Health
Horizontal Integration in Denmark
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