Reducing 30-Day Readmissions

Abstract

The imperatives of the Affordable Care Act to reduce 30-day readmissions present challenges and opportunities for nurse administrators. The literature suggests success in reducing readmissions through enhancing patient-centered discharge processes, focusing on medication reconciliation, improving coordination with community-based providers, and effective patient self-management of their disease and treatment. Evidence-based interventions addressing low health literacy, when used with all patients, hold promise to promote understanding and self-management. Strategies addressing low health literacy aimed at reducing 30-day readmissions are identified and discussed.

Findings From a Pilot Study: Bringing Evidence‐Based Practice to the Bedside

“…The intervention for the pilot units in addition to education included the launch of the EBP exemplar project to answer the PICO (Patient population, Intervention or area of Interest, Comparison intervention or group, Outcome) question “In adult medical/surgical patients in a hospital setting (P), how does an interactive patient education strategy related to medication (I) compared to standard care (C) result in improved patient perceptions as measured by Hospital Consumer Assessment for Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) medication questions (O)?” The literature review conducted focused on garnering evidence related to patient medication education and a final list of the most relevant articles was provided (Ahrens & Wirges, ; Bowskill & Garner, ; Cloonan, Wood, & Riley, ; Jager & Wynia, ; Kimball et al., ; White, Garbez, Carroll, Brinker, & Howie‐Esquivel, ). The EBPTLs and EBPRNs who attended the didactic program served as early adopters in the diffusion of the EBP nursing model on their respective pilot nursing units.…”

Preventing 30-day Readmissions

“…Effective communication and addressing health literacy will improve patient outcomes and decrease readmissions. 69 The future of nursing education must focus on health care reform initiatives and be active in evidence-based solutions to provide quality care.…”

Caring for the Postoperative Patient with Complications Presenting to the Emergency Department

“…The patient-centered discharge course includes improved coordination with patients' community-based providers, the use of medication reconciliation, and patients' having a general knowledge of their disease process. In addition, it is imperative that patients have knowledge of their prescribed treatment (Cloonan, Wood, & Riley, 2013).…”