Case Study: Readmissions Reduction
PROFILE: Large, multi-location hospital providing general medical and surgical services, serving patients in a metropolitan area in the southeast United States.
OBJECTIVE: Improve patient satisfaction and overall performance by addressing high readmission rates among disease-specific, high-risk patients at two locations in the hospital organization.
CHALLENGE: Existing tools and processes were ineffective to allow for timely, efficient follow-up with discharged patients. Readmission rates were very high and growing, specifically among patients identified as a high-risk for readmission. For patients treated for a heart-related issue or a total hip/knee replacement procedure, over 1-in-5 were readmitted during the period of evaluation.
SOLUTION: Working in collaboration with PREMEDEX, the hospital implemented a patient follow-up program at two locations, focusing exclusively on patients with a high-risk for readmission. Post-discharge outbound patient calls are targeted within 24-48 hours of discharge, using PREMEDEX care coordinators and the PREMEDEX platform.
RESULTS: Early results at these two locations are significant, as readmission rates for these high risk patient populations have improved by 75% - 90%, resulting in improved performance and higher patient satisfaction.
