Through the program, patients receive a visit from a firefighter at their home within 24 hours of being discharged from the hospital — a critical time for potential readmissions.
During their visits, which are free to patients, the firefighters check on a number of items, including ensuring the patients know what medications to take and that they have a follow-up visit scheduled.
The program, which began with the hospital partnering with the St. Louis Park Fire Department, has expanded to include four other fire departments.
“This is a win-win for patients, taxpayers and the healthcare system,” said Linda Bauermeister, director of nursing and population health at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital. “Patients have what they need to care for themselves and [know] what to do if something changes and it is a better use of resources for fire departments and hospitals.”
More articles on reducing readmissions:
How mobile apps can reduce preventable readmissions
5 ways LTPACs can help hospitals lower avoidable readmissions
Early evaluation shows lack of success in government lab experiment to reduce readmissions
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