New Generic SIP: Greater Clarity, Stronger Collaboration and Improved Patient Safety
Through researchers at Helsingborg Hospital, the research project Bridging Safe Eldery Care has made it possible for all healthcare centres in the ten municipalities of north-western Skåne to test a new generic SIP – Samordnad Individuell Plan / Coordinated Individual Plan. The aim is to strengthen safety and quality through improved collaboration around patients.
A Coordinated Individual Plan (SIP) is an established tool designed to ensure that patients who require input from multiple actors within the healthcare system receive a clear, shared and coherent plan. The SIP provides structure, clear allocation of responsibilities and active participation – both for the patient and for the healthcare professionals involved. The use of SIPs is mandated by law and regulated under both social care and healthcare legislation.
Despite this legal requirement, existing SIPs are often inadequate. They tend to be too brief, lack clear goals and defined responsibilities, and clinicians report difficulties in drafting a high-quality SIP. This situation is not sustainable in the long term. For this reason, stakeholders in north-western Skåne, in collaboration with Helsingborg Hospital, have taken action. Medical professionals from municipalities, healthcare centres (both private and regional) and hospitals have worked together to develop a generic SIP template. The template includes structured questions and standardised wording that can be copied and adapted to each individual patient. The objective is to streamline workflows while simultaneously improving the quality of care planning.
Why is the SIP so important?
When properly implemented, a SIP is more than just a document – it is a key collaborative tool that provides:
- Reassurance for patients and relatives through clear information about who is responsible for what and when.
- Clarity for healthcare professionals regarding roles and follow-up, reducing the risk of gaps in care.
- Enhanced collaboration between municipalities, regions and private providers, leading to improved quality and patient safety.
New Generic SIP to Be Rolled Out Across All Healthcare Centres in North-Western Skåne
But how can a new generic SIP help prevent, for example, unclear areas of responsibility, duplication of work and reduced patient safety caused by poor coordination – particularly for patients with complex needs?
Research and national guidelines consistently show that integrated, coordinated care is crucial for patients with complex needs, such as multimorbidity, mental health conditions or requirements related to elderly care. The SIP supports this by bringing all parties together around a single, shared plan that is known, used and followed up by everyone involved.
The template has already been tested on a small scale with positive results and is now being distributed to all healthcare centres in north-western Skåne. The aim is for every patient to have a clear, informative and well-structured SIP that strengthens both participation and a sense of security.
The next step involves final adjustments before the generic SIP can be rolled out across all 33 municipalities in Skåne – for the benefit of both patients and healthcare professionals.