vårdtillfälle

Vårdtillfälle is a Swedish term that translates to "care contact" or "patient episode" and refers to a discrete period of healthcare provision. It encompasses all healthcare activities and services provided to a patient within a specific context, such as a hospital stay, an outpatient visit, or a home care intervention. The duration of a vårdtillfälle can vary significantly, from a brief appointment to an extended hospital admission.

The concept is used for administrative, statistical, and quality assurance purposes within the Swedish healthcare system. By categorizing healthcare interactions into vårdtillfälle, authorities can track patient flows, resource utilization, and health outcomes. This allows for analysis of healthcare efficiency and effectiveness, identification of trends, and planning for future healthcare needs. For instance, data on vårdtillfälle can inform decisions about staffing levels, bed capacity, and the development of new treatment protocols.

Each vårdtillfälle is typically associated with a specific diagnosis or a set of medical procedures. Information collected within a vårdtillfälle includes patient demographics, reasons for seeking care, diagnoses, treatments administered, and the outcome of the care provided. This structured approach to data collection ensures a comprehensive overview of the patient's journey through the healthcare system and facilitates continuous improvement in the quality and accessibility of care.