Reducing Avoidable Hospital Readmissions for the Heart Failure Population

To align the hospital ministry with the needs of the community and to reduce avoidable health care costs, a multifaceted approach to reducing the number of potentially avoidable hospital readmissions was developed for the heart failure population.

This approach included: a focus on in-hospital patient education and adherence to clinical best practices; expanded care coordination focused on discharge planning and post-discharge communication; and extensive patient assessment at the time of possible hospital readmission in the ED.

In March 2011, the 30 day all cause readmission rate peaked at 16.4 percent. A 28 percent rate reduction has been achieved with a rate of 11.8 percent in May 2011 with sustained improvement for the following eight months. In February 2011, the 30 day all cause heart failure readmission rate peaked at 41.4 percent. A 92.5 percent reduction in rate has been achieved with a rate of 3.1 percent in May 2011 discharges with sustained improvement for eight of the following nine months.

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This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)