9 Statistics on Readmissions Solutions

Lack of follow-through and poor post-readmission care plans are major contributors to hospital readmissions, according to analysis of survey data from Healthcare Leaders Media’s Readmission Strategies Buzz Surveys of hospital executives by Amedisys, a Baton Rouge, La.-based home healthcare provider.

The HLM surveys selected were conducted February 2012 and October 2013.

Among those surveyed:

Seventy-three percent indicated lack of preventative care and monitoring of patients with chronic conditions is a major cause of readmissions. Twenty-three percent indicated this factor as a minor cause.

Sixty-seven percent indicated a lack of coordination between hospital discharge and physician follow-up is a major cause of readmissions. Thirty percent indicated this factor as a minor cause.

Fifty-seven percent indicated poor accountability for who is responsible for patient follow-up is a major cause of readmissions. Thirty-seven percent indicated this factor as a minor cause.

Strategies hospitals and health systems are using to reduce preventable admissions include:

Partnering with home healthcare for post-acute care (73 percent)
Scheduling follow-up appointments with primary physicians (69 percent)
Partnering with long-term care and skilled nursing facilities (64 percent)
Adjusting clinical protocols and discharge practices during acute care (62 percent)
Providing high-risk patients with care navigators (56 percent)
Providing a hospital-to-home care transition program (56 percent)