Reducing Hospital Readmissions

When someone comes in for treatment to the hospital, you’d like to believe that they won’t be back in for the same condition. However, readmission are a huge problem in hospitals today. Elderly and chronic disease patients account for a large part of readmission, but it can really happen to anyone.

The reasons why someone would need to come back days or weeks later for the same condition can vary. We’ve all seen someone sent home from the hospital far too early. Add that to poor communication with health care staff and “trouble getting a prompt doctor’s appointment after discharge” and you’ve got a lot of patients in need of additional care.

How to correct this? One suggestion has been a pay system that rewards quality. When patients are treated as they should be and get the information they need before they leave the hospital, doctors are rewarded. One thing is sure, as the health care debate continues, readmissions will have to be addressed.

Image: sxc.hu.