Recent literature suggests that discharging patients who have follow-up appointments already scheduled reduces readmissions. However, successfully scheduling those appointments and effectively preparing patients for them can be problematic. AHRQ’s Safe Transitions Toolkit provides practical and evidence-based tools to help clinical staff work more effectively with patients for new and follow-up appointments; specifically for use in the ambulatory care setting.
The toolkit includes:
- A toolkit guide, Guide for Safe Patient Transitions to New Appointments, with in-depth instructions on how to use the toolkit
- Narrated PowerPoint slide deck for team training
- Pre-Intervention Assessment, a step-by-step exercise in an Excel format for team members to identify safety gaps or areas for improvement
- Checklist to Prepare Patients for New Appointment, a set of best practices team members should follow with every patient
- Appointment Aide, a tool for patients to refer to and use at their current appointment and take with them to their follow-up appointments
Improving care coordination leads to better patient outcomes, overall satisfaction and reduces avoidable hospital admissions. Great Plains QIN is partnering with communities throughout the region to unite stakeholders, consumers and healthcare providers to improve communication and care coordination – resulting in reduced hospital admissions, readmissions and medication harm. Click here to learn how you can join our efforts!