Patient-Centered Approach to Reducing Readmissions

Readmissions are a burden for patients, families and health care providers. HSHS St. Joseph's Hospita Highland created a multifaceted approach to reduce readmissions by addressing the needs of individual patients, so they would be able to successfully care for themselves at home. Many patients are overwhelmed at the time of discharge and likely to forget their home care instructions. By improving care coordination and expanding the disciplinary team approach to discharge planning, the hospital has successfully reduced readmission rates.

This case study is part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's annual Quality Excellence Achievement Awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals and health systems in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These organizations 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—and the Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement—safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. To learn more, visit https://www.ihaqualityawards.org/javascript-ui/IHAQualityAward/