No one likes going to the hospital—especially if you were there just less than a month earlier. These readmissions to the hospital spell trouble in many ways.
While some readmissions may be necessary and appropriate, many are considered unnecessary or avoidable. Avoidable readmission to the hospital likely signals the occurrence of one or a combination of these factors:
• Poor care,
• Premature discharge,
• Poor coordination of care after discharge,
• Poor transitions between providers, or
• Inefficient use of health care resources.
Cost to society. Hospital readmissions are frequent and costly. The 4.4 million readmissions cost the nation $30 billion per year! And one in four Medicare patients treated for chronic diseases are readmitted within 30 days.
Cost to hospitals. Readmissions signal the possible problems outlined above, and represent an inefficient use of health care resources. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), hospitals are penalized when Medicare patients are readmitted after treatment for heart failure, heart attack, or pneumonia.
Cost to consumers. As we all know, consumers want to remain healthy and out of the hospital for a host of reasons. The AF4Q Alliance in Minnesota developed the RARE (Reducing Avoidable Readmissions Effectively) Campaign because it realized that financial cost wasn’t the only concern for consumers—consumers also care about the stress of repeated hospitalizations and time spent away from loved ones and careers.
What are some ways consumers can help improve health care?
Leadership positions and health care activism are a good start
What are the benefits of getting patients involved in my efforts to improve care?
Perspective, credibility, and much more...
How do consumers define fair benefit and network designs?
Freedom of choice is one important factor.
How do you explain the idea of “high-quality health care"?
The answer varies, but understanding it is paramount.
How do I clarify my role as a consumer within my organization or Alliance?
Use the organizational framework.
How do we identify potential consumer partners?
Look for core characteristics.
- Why do consumers need to know how much things cost?
- How do we help employers maintain their interest and energy in our partnership?
- What role do employers play in improving care quality?
- What frameworks can I use to engage and activate consumers?
- What are the benefits of personal health records?
- What is the Consumer Engagement Leadership Consortium?
- Where should I incorporate consumers into my practice or hospital?
- How do you explain the idea of “high-quality health care"?
- How do I clarify my role as a consumer within my organization or Alliance?
- How do I become a better consumer leader?