Patient Teach-Backs May Help Reduce Readmissions

Having patients teach-back discharge information may help reduce their risk of readmission, according to a study in American Nurse Today.

Researchers held hour-long teach-back sessions with high-risk heart failure patients to study the effect of teach-backs on readmission. In the teach-back sessions, researchers discussed definitions, signs and symptoms of heart failure; how to manage heart failure at home; and the importance of properly adhering to medication and follow-up appointments. Researchers asked open-ended questions to patients throughout the teach-back sessions, and researchers shifted focus on the aspects patients understood less.

Thirteen percent of patients who received teach-back sessions were readmitted within 30 days, while 16.2 percent of all heart failure patients were readmitted within 30 days.

Researchers suggest the teach-back method allows healthcare providers to assess what patients understand and identify what they need more guidance on. They suggest it be incorporated throughout all points of a patient's care to ensure the patients understand their treatment plans.

More Articles on Readmission:

25% of Pediatric Chronic Dialysis Patients Readmitted Within 30 Days
30-Day Readmission Linked to Higher Mortality for Glioblastoma Patients
Study: 15% of Avoidable Readmissions Linked to End-of-Life Care Issues

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