Lack of follow-through and poor post-readmission care plans are major contributors to hospital readmissions, according to analysis of survey data from Healthcare Leaders Media's Readmission Strategies Buzz Surveys of hospital executives by Amedisys, a Baton Rouge, La.-based home healthcare provider.
The HLM surveys selected were conducted February 2012 and October 2013.
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Among those surveyed:
- Seventy-three percent indicated lack of preventative care and monitoring of patients with chronic conditions is a major cause of readmissions. Twenty-three percent indicated this factor as a minor cause.
- Sixty-seven percent indicated a lack of coordination between hospital discharge and physician follow-up is a major cause of readmissions. Thirty percent indicated this factor as a minor cause.
- Fifty-seven percent indicated poor accountability for who is responsible for patient follow-up is a major cause of readmissions. Thirty-seven percent indicated this factor as a minor cause.
Strategies hospitals and health systems are using to reduce preventable admissions include:
- Partnering with home healthcare for post-acute care (73 percent)
- Scheduling follow-up appointments with primary physicians (69 percent)
- Partnering with long-term care and skilled nursing facilities (64 percent)
- Adjusting clinical protocols and discharge practices during acute care (62 percent)
- Providing high-risk patients with care navigators (56 percent)
- Providing a hospital-to-home care transition program (56 percent)
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