Coordination as a critical element of managed care.

Although the concept of coordination is not new to nursing, little is known about how it contributes to cost-effective patient care outcomes. The authors examined the mechanisms used by staff nurses to coordinate patient care services in practice environments characterized by low, moderate, and high levels of uncertainty. Regardless of practice environment conditions, nurses used the same mechanisms to coordinate patient care. These findings suggest a potential for inadequate communication among providers, poor coordination of services, and lost efficiency. Strategies to improve coordination of patient care services are discussed.