Revised standards of practice on Continuity of Care and Episodic Care took effect April 1

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Since the onset of the pandemic, many healthcare providers have increased virtual care offerings. CPSA’s Virtual Care standard, which came into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, offers updated guidance on this growing form of patient care. Due to their relevance to the Virtual Care standard, CPSA also revisited the Continuity of Care and Episodic Care standards to ensure clear interpretation and expectations in light of virtual care apps, among other situations.

Key updates to the Continuity of Care standard include:

• Preamble added for clarity;
• Clarifying that copying another regulated healthcare provider on requisitions or investigations does not remove the ordering member’s responsibility for follow-up;
• Explicitly stating that ordering investigations under another healthcare provider’s name is inappropriate; and
• The addition of clause 10, which allows members to order under another healthcare provider’s name in specific circumstances.

Key updates to the Episodic Care standard include:

• Preamble added for clarity;
• Clarifying that copying another regulated healthcare provider on requisitions or investigations does not remove the ordering member’s responsibility for follow-up; and
• Clarifying that after-hours coverage, in accordance with the Continuity of Care standard, is required.

Please take a few moments to review the full standards of practice, along with the updated advice to the profession documents below:

• Continuity of Care
• Episodic Care

Thank you to all who provided feedback during this important process. If you have any questions about CPSA’s standards of practice or standard consultations, please contact CPSA’s Standards of Practice Advisor at chantelle.dick@cpsa.ab.ca.