Southern California Hospitals Unite to Reduce Homeless Readmissions

More than 30 hospitals and hospital systems in southern California announced an initiative to reduce homeless readmissions in mid-June, according to a report from Mondaq USA Business Briefing.

 The initiative was part of the Los Angeles Regional Hospital Symposium.

Hospitals acknowledged that improving readmissions rates and avoiding Medicare penalties would not be possible without addressing population health for the sizeable homeless population in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.

Proposed measures for addressing the issue involve improved information sharing among healthcare institutions as well as comprehensive preventative measures to maintain the health of the homeless following hospital admission. Specific proposals include creating procedures for information transfer with psychiatric providers, creating post-discharge recuperation facilities for the homeless, supporting permanent housing for homeless people and using technology to provide care coordination among healthcare institutions.

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