There was an article in yesterdays WSJ about a strategy to reduce hospital readmissions. According to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 4.4 million hospital stays are a result of potentially preventable re-admissions. This additional care adds more than $30 billion a year to the nation’s health-care tab, or $1 of every $10 spent on hospital care.
Until now, there has been little attention given to root causes for re-admits. Upon examination, researchers are finding that lack of patient understanding of post discharge instructions, are a major contributor to this problem. To counter this, a research group out of Boston University Medical Center has created Project RED (Re-Engineered Discharge), a communications protocol designed to educate patients on next steps once they leave the hospital. It starts with educating the patient about their diagnosis while they are hospitalized, and walks an institution through eleven steps culminating with a follow-up phone call several days post discharge.
While the concepts in the protocol are not new, the level of detail is. Project RED has created a virutal patient advocate “Louise”. Louise’s dialogue changes for each patient based on the information entered into the workstation. Louise aguments the typical discharge protocol, by getting patient confirmation that they understand their instructions. Since Louise is not rushed for time, patients can go at their own pace, and repeat instructions that they do not understand.
While in its infancy, Project RED is showing results. In a pilot run by Health First of Rockledge, Fla from September 2010 to March 2011, readmissions of congestive heart-failure patients in one unit was reduced by 29% compared with such patients in units where the program wasn’t used. And at Boston University, where the program was created, according to a 2008 study, the program helped cut readmissions by 30% in a 2008 study.
This is just another example of how educating and evolving patients in their care, improve outcomes and reduces cost. Providers should have protocols that ensures patients do not become repeat visitors and that encourages patients to take a larger role in their health. Tools, like Project RED, which supports treatment compliance, should be utilized wherever possible as their ROI for health systems, and for our nation’s healthcare costs make them well worth the investment.
For more information on Project RED click here : https://www.bu.edu/fammed/projectred/index.html
Originally posted in “Patching the Boat” on June 9, 2011
