Clint Maun, CSP
When Medicare beneficiaries have an unfortunate event or illness that leads to hospitalization, they can find themselves in a whirlwind of activity, decision making and adjustment. The clock starts ticking and the risk for readmission to the hospital begins on the day a Medicare A patient qualifies for and is transferred to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF). Hospitals are held responsible to prevent acute setting readmissions and it is expected that SNF Teams have systems in place to prevent those returns. Patients count on all of us to minimize the need for them to go back to the hospital.
Hospitals are focused on improving readmission rates because their reimbursement is on the line. In fiscal year 2013, hospitals started facing penalties for high readmission rates under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. Initial performance evaluations will be based upon the 30-day readmission measures for heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia that are currently part of the Medicare pay-for-reporting program and reported on Hospital Compare.
Many readmissions to the hospital are avoidable, thus it is imperative that a Skilled Nursing Facility implements proactive strategies to prevent hospital returns. This session will include an overview of these strategies related to the admission process, teaming and communication within and between shifts and departments, support services, clinical practice tools, provider collaboration and post-transition follow-up.
Preventing hospital readmissions is a win for everyone and the right outcome for the patient, SNF provider and the hospital. Join us to discuss what needs to be done to wipe out preventable readmissions to the hospital and solidify your position as the Skilled Nursing Facility provider of choice.
Objectives:
At the completion of this session the attendees will be able to:
- Understand Q.S.T. and what has to be accomplished
- Utilize Partnership Scorecards to positively affect business outcomes
- Implement 3 leading edge practices to lower readmissions
- Operationalize a concierge team process
- Develop necessary partnerships for readmission prevention
The targeted audience includes CEOs, CFOs, Administrators, Directors of Nursing, RN Assessment Coordinators and Case Managers, all skilled nursing team members in any discipline, and all consultants or corporate support staff of skilled nursing post acute care services.
