In a recent Care Logistics blog, Karl Straub discusses the keys to improving the Progression of Quality Care in Hospitals.
Editor's Note: This blog originally appeared on The Health Care Blog’s website.
The path to consistent, quality patient care progression sounds simple enough:
1. Set and meet accurate length of stay targets based on appropriate DRGs—begin with an end in mind and proactively manage toward that end.
2. Focus unit care teams on clear, appropriate care progression plans for all patients.
But admissions processes often do not capture and disseminate an appropriate target length of stay and DRG in a way that informs expectations for treatment and documentation. Thus caregivers face challenges choosing appropriate goals for managing patient progression so that everyone is working toward that goal. The resulting delays in care prolong length of stay, increase costs, frustrate patients and caregivers, and increase the possibility of preventable harm. Inconsistent care progression can also increase readmissions, as divergence from appropriate and timely care plans increases the risk that the need for treatment will reoccur.
There are several key tools and disciplines unit care teams can adopt that dramatically improve consistent delivery of quality care, with resulting benefits in efficiency and patient satisfaction:
Standardize Your Patient Progression Plans: Create and track progression against standardized, patient-appropriate care plans with continuously visible goals and progress. Over time, this helps collaboration for quality care become easier and more reliable and predictable.