| Readmission Reduction Solutions
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 According to the Department of Health and Human Services, “one in five patients who leave the hospital will be readmitted within 30 days.” Chronic care patients represent 10% of Medicare beneficiaries and account for 62% of all Medicare spending.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission estimates that up to 76% of these readmissions may be preventable and the average cost to the provider is $7,200 per readmission. Beginning in 2012, Medicare will stop paying hospitals for preventable readmissions tied to health conditions such as heart failure or pneumonia and will expand that policy to cover additional conditions as time passes.
A large percentage of chronic care patients and other frequently readmitted patients are disproportionately low or lower income who are not able to afford non-medical homecare and other out-of-pocket care expenses, or are not likely to see the value in paying for these services. The hospital’s ability to control the behavior of these patients is severely limited even though the financial burden of costly readmissions lies solely with the hospital.
We believe that Circle of Care provides an excellent link for hospitals in assisting with home transition success and readmission reduction by providing non-medical home care and assistance.
The solutions that Circle of Care offers to assist with a Successful Home Transition include but are not limited to:
- Coordination of communication and appointments with providers – ensuring that first appointment with regular doctor is made immediately
- Communication with out of town family members
- Off-hours telephone calls to check on client
- Running errands – to ensure prescriptions are filled and dietary needs are provided
- Reinforcing the patients understanding of instructions and their ability to provide self-care
- Keeping a “log” to track the patient’s transition and adjustment – taking note of behaviors that may make adherence to instructions difficult
- Managing those “red flag” behaviors to the best of our ability
- Medication reminders
- Assisting with bathing, toileting, and other personal hygiene tasks Meal preparation – including special diets
- Assisting with transportation to appointments
- Assist with ambulation for the patient who is frail or recovering
- Ensuring the patients living space is clean and safe
In addition to the above on-site services, Circle of Care office coordination staff is available 24/7 by phone and provides the following off-site services:
- Documentation and reporting of patient progress information that can be tailored to your facility for transmission at your convenience.
- Our staff and caregivers are carefully selected following reference checks, skills assessments, and a comprehensive criminal background check, including a Motor Vehicles Administration check.
- Our team of caregivers, many of whom have been with us since inception, are compassionate and patient, dedicated and experienced.
- We’re proud of our exceptional reputation in the Southern Maryland area and would be happy to provide references from current and former clients.
Please contact us today for more information about our Successful Home Transitions Program which can be tailored to meet the unique needs of your patient community.
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