Effective Communication and Care Coordination

Nearly one in five Medicare consumers discharged from the hospital – approximately 2.6 million seniors – is readmitted within 30 days, at a cost of over $26 million every year.¹

Of those patients who are readmitted to the hospital, the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee estimates that 64 percent received no post-acute care between discharge and readmission and project that 76 percent of readmissions may be preventable. Further, CMS research shows consumers report greater dissatisfaction in discharge-related care than any other aspect of care.

Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, pharmacies, physician offices, dialysis centers as well as patients, families, payers and community stakeholders are all involved in improving care coordination, patient satisfaction and patient outcomes.

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.

For more information on how medication safety and medication management play an integral role in care coordination, visit the Medication Safety Initiative page of this site.

References:
1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)