Lessons Learned From Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Tackling 30-Day Copd Readmissions at Harlem Hospital Center

Abstract

PURPOSE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) readmissions pose a significant burden on patients as well as hospitalization costs. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) penalizes hospitals for excess all cause readmissions within the 30 days following discharge. Between 10 to 20% of COPD patients are admitted within 30 days of discharge. Multidisciplinary team approach (MDT) has been proposed as a tool to reduce readmission, and was implemented at Harlem Hospital Center (HHC) since July of 2017 (1). We discuss the results and lessons learnt following its implementation. METHODS: MDT at HHC consists of pulmonologist, internist, respiratory therapist (RT), nurses, case manager ,social worker and pharmacist. All working in concert to implement a safer hospital discharge of COPD patients.