Saturday, 16 November 2013
Mariah Hockin, RN, BSN
Kirkhof College of Nursing, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to identify interventions aimed at reducing hospital readmissions.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to identify common diagnoses at risk for hospital readmissions.
Hospital readmissions are of primary concern in today’s healthcare setting since the level of scrutiny over rates has intensified due to high prevalence and costs. A review of the literature clearly identifies hospital readmissions as a significant problem in today’s healthcare system. Prior to the Patient Affordable Care Act (2010), few interventions were in place to avoid readmissions as they constituted a major portion of profit (35%) (Virkstis, Mass, Vonderhaar, Westheim, Stewart, Berkow, Matovich, 2011). Research clearly delineates outcomes such as patient satisfaction, costs, mortality, quality of care, and varying rates of readmissions associated with hospital readmissions (Virkstis et al., 2011). Currently, evidence is lacking that provides strong support for interventions to reduce readmissions. However, there is beginning evidence for certain interventions, especially interventions of telephonic post-discharge follow-up.
The process of post-discharge telephonic follow-up, focusing on the COPD population, was chosen as the selected process of implementation on the specified medical unit. Along with recommendations from hospital administrators to focus on the COPD population, the diagnosis of COPD was chosen because of the high rate of readmission and since no other intervention aimed at reducing readmissions in the COPD population has been trialed at the institution. Through the use of this post-discharge telephonic follow-up protocol, the primary outcome of reducing readmissions is attainable. Secondary outcomes may include increased patient satisfaction and identification of come patient concerns.
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