Recommended Citation
Shall M, Griggs C, Eaddy R, et al. Implementation of an emergency department communication tool to assist in the prevention of acute care readmissions. Value Informed Nursing Practice poster presentation at Empowering Nursing Excellence: Recognizing the Value and Impact of Nurses, Advocate Health Midwest Region Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference 2023; November 15, 2023; virtual.
Presentation Notes
Value Informed Nursing Practice poster presentation at Empowering Nursing Excellence: Recognizing the Value and Impact of Nurses, Advocate Health Midwest Region Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference 2023; November 15, 2023; virtual.
Abstract
Background:
This presentation highlights how nurses from a post-acute care rehabilitation hospital led the way in reducing acute care readmissions though the development and implementation of a standard communication tool. Hospital readmissions have negative impacts to patient care which include higher financial costs, program interruption, and decreased overall functional recovery. We noticed 14 percent of our patients were being readmitted to the hospital after being evaluated by an ED physician. When we investigated the issue, we identified there was a communication gap between the ED and rehab physicians.
Method:
We determined our improvement plan by using the Plan, Do, Study, Act methodology. The project’s goal was to provide optimal care and prevent potentially preventable acute care hospital readmissions of patients that transferred acutely to the ED from rehabilitation. A communication tool was created to enhance how rehabilitation and emergency physicians and nurses from both transferring and receiving hospitals viewed critical health information from the patient’s medical record.
Results:
This intervention resulted in a 24.7 percent increase in the percentage of patients that transferred back to rehabilitation after an ED evaluation.
Cost Savings:
Informatics and analytical service estimated that the average cost per acute care transfer is $23,250. In all incidences when patients were transferred back to rehabilitation after ED evaluation, all but one would have fulfilled the criteria for an acute care hospital readmission.
Conclusions:
Maintaining open communication with the healthcare team and establishing clear expectations are essential to executing a plan. Creating a culture of shared decision making and connecting the work back to the overall purpose is critical to efficiency of work.
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
11-15-2023
Implementation of an emergency department communication tool to assist in the prevention of acute care readmissions
Background:
This presentation highlights how nurses from a post-acute care rehabilitation hospital led the way in reducing acute care readmissions though the development and implementation of a standard communication tool. Hospital readmissions have negative impacts to patient care which include higher financial costs, program interruption, and decreased overall functional recovery. We noticed 14 percent of our patients were being readmitted to the hospital after being evaluated by an ED physician. When we investigated the issue, we identified there was a communication gap between the ED and rehab physicians.
Method:
We determined our improvement plan by using the Plan, Do, Study, Act methodology. The project’s goal was to provide optimal care and prevent potentially preventable acute care hospital readmissions of patients that transferred acutely to the ED from rehabilitation. A communication tool was created to enhance how rehabilitation and emergency physicians and nurses from both transferring and receiving hospitals viewed critical health information from the patient’s medical record.
Results:
This intervention resulted in a 24.7 percent increase in the percentage of patients that transferred back to rehabilitation after an ED evaluation.
Cost Savings:
Informatics and analytical service estimated that the average cost per acute care transfer is $23,250. In all incidences when patients were transferred back to rehabilitation after ED evaluation, all but one would have fulfilled the criteria for an acute care hospital readmission.
Conclusions:
Maintaining open communication with the healthcare team and establishing clear expectations are essential to executing a plan. Creating a culture of shared decision making and connecting the work back to the overall purpose is critical to efficiency of work.