Reducing Avoidable Readmissions
by Amy Berman
Monday, January 25, 2010 13:38
Unnecessarily high hospital readmissions rates have recently garnered headlines and received increased scrutiny from policymakers. Reducing avoidable readmissions has long been an important focus of our grantmaking. Now that our grantees have developed proven, evidence-based models like the Transitional Care Model , the Care Transitions Intervention, and Project BOOST, we have been looking for ways to encourage hospitals to incorporate these or similar programs. We are pleased to announce that, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Fund, we supported creation of the “Health Care Leader Action Guide to Reduce Avoidable Readmissions” by the Health Research and Education Trust (HRET) of the American Hospital Association.
This free, downloadable guide outlines steps hospitals can take to reduce avoidable readmissions. This publication aims to help hospital leadership to begin this important process, which will not only help hold down rising health care costs, but also help provide better quality care to hospital patients—the vast majority of whom are older adults.
Pamela Dudzik says:
January 26th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Looks great! How will you be publicizing it?
Eric Coleman says:
January 27th, 2010 at 8:22 am
The timing of this action guide could not be better. Hospital leaders are increasingly recognizing that transfers out of the hospital are a highly vulnerable time from the standpoint og quality and safety. This guide provides “one stop shopping” for evidence based strategies presented in a manner that encourages customization. Please share the document with hospital leaders in your health care communities.
Chris Langston says:
January 27th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Thanks to Amy for guiding our collaboration with the Commonwealth Fund and AHA/HRET to produce this guide. And of course, thanks to Eric and Mary and Mark and colleagues for raising the issue of readmissions to prominence and developing solutions to the problem.
We are doing our part to publicize the document through the blog and website, which both include links to a downloadable version of the document. Commonwealth has also sent out an e-mail blast and I expect the document will gain a lot of attention in the coming months.
Amy Berman says:
February 1st, 2010 at 11:23 am
Pamela, the guide is available for free download on the American Hospital Association (AHA) and HRET Web sites. The guide has also been publicized through such organizations as the American Organzation of Nurse Executives (AONE) and venues including Health Leaders Media. And the funders, The Commonwealth Fund and the John A. Hartford Foundation are sharing the availability of this practical resource. We would be delighted if you would make the members of the American Academy of Nursing aware of the resource.
Grand Rounds Vol 6, No. 19 | A Groundhog's Perspective on Med Blogs | More iPad says:
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:08 am
[...] If you are in the hospital, the last thing you want is to go right back. ? It’s kind of like Punxsutawney. ? Amy over at the Health AGEnda blog writes a post with a link to a guide to prevent readmission. [...]
Jamie Huysman, PsyD, LCSW says:
March 28th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Dear Amy, This work so dovetails with Dr. Rosemary Laird’s and my work in making sure that caregivers of older americans. Caregivers need to be educated, empowered and energized (truly seen by acute care hopitals through there discharge planners) to actually be a strong part of the team, as hospitals prematurely discharge. This was not done in the case of my Mom whose husband was told nothing upon discharge; had no idea what to look for and my sister and I were in Raleigh and LA respectively. This is a huge reason why there must be minimal standards, bill of rights or something to bring caregivers into the medical world and a part of the dicharge process on a meaningful basis. It is a cost containment issue as well.
By the way, Dr. Laird and I will be in NYC speaking on April 29. Would there be an opportunity for us three to meet over some of our International work?