REDUCING HOSPITAL READMISSIONS

Abstract

A large percentage of hospital patients are readmitted to the hospital after their initial visit. In some cases, these readmissions are unavoidable and are related to ongoing health conditions. However, other circumstances exist in which the medical company could have prevented the readmission by giving the patient more information. The purpose of this report is to analyze current rates of hospital readmission, while offering a potential solution to the problem. A readmission can be defined in a few different ways. For purposes of this report, a readmission is defined as a patient visiting a hospital again within a 30-day time period from their initial visit. The focus of this report will be on creating a mandatory survey / educational packet to administer to patients before they leave the hospital or are prescribed medication, and the purpose of such a report is to provide the patient with enough information in order to avoid being readmitted to the hospital within a 30-day time period.