Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Reducing Heart Failure Readmissions

Presence St. Mary’s Hospital, Kankakee, Ill., improved readmission rates for heart failure patients across the care continuum by engaging all providers. Hospital providers, cardiac rehab staff and a post-acute-care nurse (a liaison between the hospital, long-term care and home care facilities) work together to:

• Schedule follow-up physician appointments;
• Provide one-to-one inpatient education;
• Make follow-up calls at 24-72 hours postdischarge and again at 25-30 days post-discharge;
• Employing the teach-back approach; and
• Promote in-home follow up and teaching reinforcement with home care programs.

Read the whole case study below (click "view item"). 

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.)