How Automated Calls Can Significantly Improve Patient Follow-Up Initiatives
Four years ago, the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) began and officially started penalizing hospitals for excessive 30-day readmission rates. Since then hospitals have begun implementing programs aimed at reducing readmissions, especially for high-risk patient populations.
GAO Asks HHS for Universally Aligned Quality Measure
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) sent a report on October 13 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging for better alignment of healthcare quality measures.
Study: Examining Shorter Readmission Intervals a Better Indicator of Hospital Quality
When looking at the link between readmissions and hospital quality of care, it may be best to focus on patients who return to the hospital seven or fewer days after discharge.
What Do Rankings Mean for Patient Safety?
Just as it has every year for the last 26 years, U.S. News & World Report recently released its hospital rankings for 2016-2017. This year, the organization named Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, the best hospital in the country.
Exploring Post-Discharge Spaces Designed to Eliminate Gaps in Care
At the end of a hospital stay, many patients find themselves overwhelmed by their experience as well as the often lengthy care directions they’ve been given. Others might find themselves pushed into another care place, one that may not have the resources or focus to holistically address their problems. Too often patients find themselves released from the hospital, only to wind up back in that hospital bed within the 30-day readmission window—a metric closely watched by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and hospitals everywhere.
Savviest ACOs Leverage Health Plan Resources
More than ever before, physicians and health plans have compelling reasons to work together to achieve the Triple Aim, which means improving consumers’ health outcomes, their experience of care, and the costs associated with that care. In the years since the Affordable Care Act was enacted, value-based care models that more closely align providers and health plans with the shared goals of improving healthcare quality and cost have gained traction.
STEMI Initiative Cuts Response Time by 72%
A quality program at UNC Hospitals empowers non-physician clinicians to activate response teams for cardiology inpatients using triage protocols used by first responders.
Surgeons Take Sides on Transplant Proposal
Proponents claim a new donor liver allocation plan would be more equitable for patients; foes say it could raise costs and close programs.
Patient Identification Deficiencies Plague Quality of Care
Before receiving care at a medical facility – before even seeing a doctor or a nurse – every patient has to go through the simple registration process.
But that seemingly simple process is rife with complications that can linger throughout every step of a patient’s stay, creating the potential for inefficient care, unnecessary tests, and serious medical errors.
HRSA Awards Grants to Improve Primary Care and Telehealth in Rural Communities
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is awarding more than $16 million in grants for providers serving rural communities. Sixty rural communities in 32 states will receive grants. Seven rural health research centers will also be beneficiaries.