Reducing Rehospitalizations

People with Medicare coverage report greater dissatisfaction regarding discharge-related care than with any other aspect of care that Medicare measures. According to a recent study, nearly one in five people with Medicare coverage who were hospitalized in 2004 were readmitted within 30 days of being discharged. This situation can be changed.

Local Opportunities

Under our Medicare Quality Improvement Organization contract, Qualis Health is preparing to launch the next phase of our work aimed at activating patients, engaging care providers, and joining forces with community organizations to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions. Previously, we led a pilot project focused on care transitions in Whatcom County, Washington and are ready to bring similar projects to communities throughout Idaho and Washington.

To learn how to take advantage of our assistance in establishing, implementing, and measuring successful programs to reduce rehospitalizations in your community, please contact one of our consultants (Traci Treasure in Idaho or Carol Higgins in Washington) for more information.

We are also pleased to provide guidance regarding how communities can apply for federal funding to improve the safety of care transitions and to make available evidence-based resources for reducing rehospitalizations.

Nationwide resources

As part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Integrating Care for Populations & Communities (ICPC) Program, The National Coordinating Center (NCC) is hosting a free webinar series called Navigating Care Transitions: Intervention Opportunities. The learning sessions will take place twice per month to provide best practices to QIOs, providers and partners.