Various ways can be studied to reduce the risk of patients being readmitted in hospitals after discharge. Hospitals and health system leaders are supposed to initiate programs and procedures which can help reduce preventable readmissions, which are highly costly to the health care system. As per the health care reforms, those hospitals with high readmission rates of patients are currently standing a chance to lose part of their federal payments. The following initiatives can be adopted and implemented to help reduce these increasing readmissions in hospitals.
The health systems should be able to join collaboratives, which are readmission prevention-focused, to curb this menace. In most practices, they don’t offer incentives. Still, they can advise on the ways of teaming together and be able to share best strategies and practices in matters of preventing hospital readmissions. Some of the collaboratives’ goals include understanding why the patients are readmitted, realizing the best practices, and establishing resources to improve the care.
Another initiative would be coming up with a schedule that ensures a seven -day patient follow-up. Research shows that if patients are followed well on the well being after discharge in seven days, they are not likely to be readmitted back. Physicians play a crucial role in ensuring the monitoring of patients as established in a pilot program initiated in 2008-2010 launched by the CMS.
There is also the need to initiate and implement a strict and monitored home health care program. Patient post-discharge is very important in combating most of the readmissions affecting the health care systems. According to research by Avalere Health, it is noted that care through home health aides or medical social services can be an effective method to prevent readmissions.
Another critical component of readmission prevention is proper patient communication and education. For example, patients suffering from heart failure need to be educated and informed well about the disease to ensure full understanding.