Hospitals’ avoidable readmission rates have come under close scrutiny by payers and policymakers because of the potential of high savings associated with them. Tackling this issue is an opportunity to improve quality and reduce costs in the health care system. Although readmission rates among Colorado CAHs, by virtue of their volume, may be small, there is opportunity for our state to stay ahead of national trends, spotlight the great services Colorado CAHs are providing, make improvements in processes that will help maintain low readmission rates and continue to showcase the hospital’s status as a leader in their community. The basic goals of this project, funded by Colorado’s Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant (Flex) (CFDA: 93.241; Grant Award: 2 H54RH00056-09-00) are to:
- Improve communications in transitions of care
- Improve the clinical process and systems to reduce readmissions, particularly for heart failure and pneumonia patients
- Maintain low readmission rates
When you join this project, along with a myriad of other resources that will become available to you, you will also have access to our password protected websitedesigned to provide you and your staff with tools and templates to assist you in implementing the changes you would like to see at your facility and in your community to help you reach these goals while at the same time improving quality, reducing costs and improving patient satisfaction.
For more information on iCARE or how you and your provider based clinics can join please contact Courtnay Ryan at cr@coruralhealth.org or 303.309.6807
