CMS released its guide to preventing readmissions among racially and ethnically diverse beneficiaries. The 29-page document summarizes strategies hospitals can implement to begin preventing unnecessary patient readmissions.
Below are the seven high-level strategies for hospitals recommended in the guide, according to AJMC.
1. Have a strong radar. Hospitals should invest resources in understanding which patients are being readmitted and why, including a comprehensive understanding of readmission demographics, education levels, language and other factors
2. Identify the target. Once a hospital understands its target readmission demographic, it must identify the particular barriers to preventing readmission.
3. Start from the start. Preventing readmission must begin when the patient first arrives at the hospital, not when the patient is discharged.
4. Deploy a team. Successful readmission prevention involves staff across the healthcare continuum, including nutritionists, pharmacists and substance abuse treatment providers, among others.
5. Social support. Hospitals must work toward fostering a culturally appropriate care system to meet patients at every level.
6. Communication in high-risk scenarios. Hospitals and their staff must be able to effectively communicate with patients about high-risk issues, such as medication and discharge instructions.
7. Community, coordination, continuity. Hospitals should form partnerships with community care organizations to support patients at every level of recovery.
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