The issue of unnecessary hospital readmissions is front and center in a national conversation about the quality of health care. Peninsula Home Care reports as of November, 2015 show a patient readmission rate of 7.8%, compared to the state average of 12.5% and National average of 11.7%.
“Reducing hospital readmissions is about improving patient care,” said Nancy Bagwell, Peninsula Home Care Area Director of Operations. “Our numbers show that patients are getting better care and as a result, fewer are revolving back through the hospital door.”
Peninsula Home Care credits a comprehensive approach to healthcare for the low readmission rate.
“We hold inter-disciplinary team meetings to make sure everyone is on the same page with each patient,” added Bagwell. “The move to electronic medical records has helped with these efforts greatly.”
Bagwell added that compliance is also a critical piece of a patient’s plan of care when it comes to achieving positive outcomes. In addition to providing skilled nursing and therapy (physical, occupational and speech), Peninsula Home Care provides individualized education regarding warning signs, the importance of medication management and adherence and scheduling follow up appointments with primary care physicians.
“It is important to also take a step back from the day-to-day visits and assess the overall health picture for each patient. Anything from a chronic disease diagnosis to frequent readmissions to home care are red flags that need to be addressed in a plan of care.”
The push to lower hospital readmissions makes sense for the patient and all healthcare providers attached to that individual. Smooth care transitions as patients are discharged will ultimately help in avoiding health deterioration that often brings patients back to the hospital.
For more information about Peninsula Home Care visit the website at www.peninsulahomecare.com.
About Peninsula Home Care
Providing care for more than 30 years, Peninsula Home Care ensures that all patients are involved in their plan of care and strives to give them every opportunity to maintain their independence in the home. The agency has served more than 42,000 patients on Delmarva and has been named to the “Home Health Care Elite” three times in six years. For more information, visit www.peninsulahomecare.com.
