Having an integrated program for transitioning patients from the hospital to home can decreased hospital readmissions and excess healthcare costs, according to a recent study published in the Journal for Healthcare Quality.
Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of patient outcomes at the University of Utah Community Clinics in Salt Lake City before and after receiving transition management services.
They found the 30-day hospital readmission rate decreased from 17.9 percent before the services to 8.0 percent after. Additionally, the mean time to hospital readmission within 180 days was delayed from 95 to 115 days.
"These findings support the effectiveness of [transition management] activities integrated within the primary care setting," according to the study.
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