W [B] 2 - Reducing Avoidable Hospital Readmissions

A substantial fraction of all hospitalizations are patients returning to the hospital soon after their previous stay. These rehospitalizations are potentially harmful and often avoidable. Hospital readmissions demonstrate that improvement in the quality of care for patients can also reduce avoidable costs. Evidence suggests that the rate of avoidable rehospitalizations can be reduced by improving core discharge planning and transition processes out of the hospital; improving transitions and care coordination at the interfaces between care settings; and enhancing coaching, education, and support for patient self-management.

After this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe common problems that contribute to readmissions
  
• Identify promising approaches to reduce avoidable readmissions
  
• Articulate four key strategies for creating an ideal transition from the hospital to the home or to other community-based care settings