90% of hospitals participating in Independence Blue Cross ACO lowered readmission rates

Health insurer Independence Blue Cross has announced 90 percent of the hospitals that participated in its accountable care organization in the Philadelphia region lowered hospital readmission rates, with an average reduction of 16 percent in the first year.

All of the hospitals participating in the ACO improved at least one hospital-acquired infection measure or received a top distinction from the Pennsylvania Department of Health for infection control.

In addition, nearly all of the hospitals scored better in measures that assess patient experience during their hospital stay after joining the ACO.

"We're very encouraged by these results," said Daniel J. Hiferty, president and CEO of Independence, in a news release. "They demonstrate the power of partnering with healthcare systems in our region to deliver higher quality, lower cost care with higher patient satisfaction — and transforming the delivery of healthcare."

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