Before learning about the relationship between interoperability and transitions of care, let us first define transitions of care.
A transition of care is the movement of a patient from one provider or clinical setting of care to another provider or setting of care. For example, a transition of care occurs when a primary care provider (PCP) refers a patient to a specialist, or when a hospital discharges a patient to another care setting.
In many cases, but not all, a transition of care is permanent. For example, when a provider discharges a patient from an inpatient setting, the discharging provider expects that the patient will not return. When a PCP refers a patient to a specialist, such a referral is a transition of care; however, the PCP typically expects the patient to return for subsequent follow-up care.