September 2026 Newsletter
The Care Coordination Gap: Connecting the Patient Journey
World Patient Safety Day provides an opportunity to examine a challenge that extends beyond any individual clinical decision: how healthcare systems coordinate care across the patient journey. The theme for World Patient Safety Day 2026 is “Safe care for noncommunicable diseases,” highlighting the patient-safety challenges associated with the long-term and complex care that NCDs often require.
Healthcare is increasingly delivered across multiple settings. A patient may move between primary care, specialists, hospitals, pharmacies and home-based care, often with different professionals responsible for different parts of their treatment. For people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), this process can continue for years and involve repeated transitions between providers. When information, responsibilities or follow-up do not move with the patient, gaps can emerge. (1) The long-term and complex nature of NCD care, combined with frequent interactions with health systems, can increase exposure to potential harm.
However, the challenge extends beyond NCDs. Any patient moving between healthcare providers or settings can experience gaps in communication, information and follow-up. As healthcare becomes more distributed across hospitals, primary care, specialists, pharmacies and the home, continuity of care becomes an increasingly important part of patient safety.
Keeping information, treatment decisions and follow-up connected across these different points of care is essential to delivering safe, consistent care throughout the patient journey.
1.https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-patient-safety-day/2026
Want to read on? Join our network and receive access to our member-only newsletter.
As a member of Global Health Impact Network, you'll enjoy full access to the newsletter, featuring exclusive industry insights, network updates, and opportunities to consult, advise, and invest. Don’t miss out — join today and unlock your benefits.