Journal for Healthcare Quality Presents Special Issue on Healthcare Transitions

Newswise — January 8, 2015 - Effective and efficient healthcare transitions—patient "handoffs" between providers, units, or healthcare systems—are a critical part of efforts to provide coordinated, high-quality patient care. A special focus on Healthcare Transitions is presented in the January/February issue of the Journal for Healthcare Quality (JHQ), the peer-reviewed journal of the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW), a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

Healthcare Transitions are "the lynchpin for coordination of care in current and future delivery models," writes NAHQ President Mary Huddleston, RN, BSN, MHSE, CPHQ, in an introductory editorial. The special theme issue is the first to appear under a new publishing partnership between NAHQ and LWW.

In First LWW Issue, JHQ Puts Focus on Healthcare TransitionsThe special issue on Healthcare Transitions presents nine original papers, authored by leading experts in healthcare quality and related fields. The contributions look at patient handoffs from a variety of perspectives—within and across care delivery systems, at the community level, and through the use of research and clinical data to achieve key goals such as reduced hospital readmissions. Mary Huddleston writes, "The special issue represents what the Journal for Healthcare Quality does best: applied research that is relevant and actionable for healthcare leaders."

Beginning with the current volume, LWW assumes publication of the Journal for Healthcare Quality—the NAHQ's professional forum for continuous advancement of healthcare quality practice. The journal presents original research and other content, providing leaders in diverse and changing environments across healthcare settings with evidence to promote quality improvement, patient safety, performance measurement, and more. Each issue of JHQ also includes a continuing education opportunity, free of charge to NAHQ members.

The JHQ continues on its bimonthly publication schedule. As always, NAHQ members will receive each issue as a benefit of membership. Members and subscribers can also access the full contents of each issue at the newly updated journal website: www.jhqonline.com. A streamlined electronic manuscript submission, review, and tracking process through WKH's Editorial Manager system is now live at http://www.editorialmanager.com/JHQ.

The theme of Healthcare Transitions will be revisited this spring at the NAHQ's inaugural National Quality Summit, to be held April 23 to 24, 2015, in Philadelphia. The Summit features noted transitions expert Eric Coleman, MD, MPH, who will join with leading quality professionals to share insights on managing the quality of transitions at every step along the healthcare continuum.

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About the Journal for Healthcare QualityThe Journal for Healthcare Quality (JHQ) is the first choice for creative and scientific solutions in the pursuit of healthcare quality. JHQ publishes scholarly articles targeted to leaders of all healthcare settings, leveraging applied research and producing practical, timely, and impactful evidence in healthcare system transformation covering topics in: quality improvement, patient safety, performance measurement, best practices in clinical and operational processes, innovation, leadership, information technology, spreading improvement, sustaining improvement, cost reduction, and payment reform.

About NAHQFounded in 1976 and covering a full spectrum of healthcare specialties, the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) is an essential and interactive resource for quality and patient safety professionals worldwide. NAHQ's vision is to realize the promise of healthcare improvement through innovative practices in quality and patient safety. NAHQ's 12,000-plus members and certificants benefit from cutting edge education and NAHQ's unique collective body of knowledge, as well as opportunities to learn from a diverse group of professionals. These resources help assure success for implementing improvements in quality outcomes and patient safety, navigating the changing healthcare landscape, and serving as the voice of quality. Visit www.nahq.org to learn more.

About Wolters Kluwer HealthWolters Kluwer Health is a leading global provider of information, business intelligence and point-of-care solutions for the healthcare industry. Serving more than 150 countries worldwide, clinicians rely on Wolters Kluwer Health’s market leading information-enabled tools and software solutions throughout their professional careers from training to research to practice. Major brands include Health Language®, Lexicomp®, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Medicom®, Medknow, Ovid®, Pharmacy OneSource®, ProVation® Medical and UpToDate®.

Wolters Kluwer Health is part of Wolters Kluwer, a market-leading global information services company. Wolters Kluwer had 2013 annual revenues of €3.6 billion ($4.7 billion), employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide, and maintains operations in over 40 countries across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.maintains operations in over 40 countries across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Its shares are quoted on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY).

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