Boston-based Steward Health Care has been delivering healthy meals to heart failure patients free of charge in an attempt to reduce readmission rates, according to a Boston Globe report.
The system has been spending $66,000 on one month of low-sodium, heart-healthy food for 55 patients with a goal of reducing readmissions by 25 percent, according to the report.
Participating hospitals Carney Hospital in Dorchester, Mass., St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, Mass., and St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, Mass., were all penalized last year by Medicare for excessive readmissions, according to the report.
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The system has been spending $66,000 on one month of low-sodium, heart-healthy food for 55 patients with a goal of reducing readmissions by 25 percent, according to the report.
Participating hospitals Carney Hospital in Dorchester, Mass., St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, Mass., and St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, Mass., were all penalized last year by Medicare for excessive readmissions, according to the report.
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American College of Cardiology Plans Readmission Prevention ProgramJoint Commission Launches Readmission Reduction Consulting Service
Why Hospitals Need to Look Beyond 30-Day Readmissions