Sunil Kripalani|Cecelia Theobald|Beth Anctil|Eduard E. Vasilevskis
Reducing Hospital Readmission Rates: Current Strategies and Future Directions
Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt University Medical Center|Vanderbilt University|Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center
new financial penalties institutions high readmission rates intensified efforts reduce rehospitalization several interventions involve multiple components eg patient needs assessment medication reconciliation patient education arranging timely outpatient appointments providing telephone followup successfully reduced readmission rates patients discharged home effect interventions readmission rates related number components implemented singlecomponent interventions unlikely reduce readmissions significantly patients discharged postacute care facilities multicomponent interventions reduced readmissions enhanced communication medication safety advanced care planning enhanced training manage medical conditions commonly precipitate readmission help hospitals direct resources services patients greater likelihood readmission riskstratification methods available future work better define roles homebased services information technology mental health care caregiver support community partnerships new transitional care personnel