Life Care Centers of America (LCCA), a long-term care provider with 225 nursing care facilities, has undertaken a new initiative to put a full-time physician in each of its skilled nursing facilities. This change has resulted in a large drop in the rehospitalization rate — from 40 percent previously to 15 percent after the physicians had been in place about a year. Among the effects of implementation of this initiative has been a tendency for local hospitals to transfer patients who are more critically ill. Also, there has been anecdotal evidence that the program has been good for caregiver morale at the nursing facilities. The second article also addresses ways that a nursing facility can attack rehospitalization rates, using the INTERACT II tool.
Sources: Lourde, K. Physicians moving in. Provider;38(2):22-23, 25-26, 28, 30, 32-33, Feb. 2012. Click here for full text: http://www.providermagazine.com/archives/archives-2012/Pages/0212/Physicians-Moving-In.aspx?PF=1
Lindeman, S., and Lyke, J.P. Smooth transitions reduce hospital visits. Provider;38(2):35-36, 38, Feb. 2012. Click here for full text: http://www.providermagazine.com/archives/archives-2012/Pages/0212/Smooth-Transitions-Reduce-Hospital-Visits.aspx?PF=1 Posted by AHA Resource Center (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org
Filed under: Efficiency, Postacute care, Posted by Kim Garber, Uncategorized | Tagged: How to cut the rehospitalization rate, nursing homes, Physicians in nursing homes, Rehospitalization rate |
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