In a Gallup Business Journal article, Jeff Burger, a managing consultant at Gallup, discusses strategies hospitals can employ to reduce readmissions.
Here are four strategies:
1. Involve the patient's social network, family and friends. Hospital staff members should encourage members of the patient's support system are present when discharge instructions are given and ensure that they understand the patient's care needs.
2. Use an effective discharge process. Hospital administration should prioritize and organize discharge instructions to improve clarity as well as improve coordination between physicians and nurses during the discharge process.
3. Get to know your patients. Hospital staff members should get to know patients to improve patient education and understanding of health information.
4. Build the right discharge team. Healthcare organizations should create a discharge team based on talent for assisting patients through a discharge.
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