Bridging Safe Elderly Care

More elderly and chronically ill

The increasing number of elderly in Denmark and Sweden’s population has led to more elderly people suffering from illnesses, especially multiple chronic conditions.

Benefitting the citizens

The innovative research project ‘Bridging Safe Elderly Care’ aims to enhance communication, continuity of care, and safety during transitions for elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions, both in hospitals and between hospital and home, through new health technologies.
The Danish-Swedish project seeks to reduce hospital readmissions and minimise errors, benefitting patients, relatives, and the healthcare system.

Important information lost during transitions

Some readmissions could be avoided if sufficient and accurate information is better communicated during transitions between hospital departments and/or between hospital and municipality/home. Poor sharing of health information can lead to complications, worsening of conditions, treatment errors, and prolonged hospital stays.

Digital solution for care staff

The project will develop, in collaboration with other partners, a digital solution for patient record systems in Denmark and Sweden. This solution will ensure that relevant patient data and information are easily accessible to care staff and provide the means to identify which elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions are likely to require extensive healthcare services. This will allow for timely interventions, reducing readmissions and resource use.

Denmark and Sweden face similar challenges

In Denmark, 20% of all citizens over 65 are admitted to hospital each year. Of these, 20% are readmitted or referred back within the first month due to acute deterioration of their health condition, while another 20% are referred back due to complications. In Sweden, the number of readmissions has risen over the past decade, now affecting 28% of admitted patients, who are readmitted multiple times within a year.