Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Improving Heart Failure Discharge Outcomes--The Project RED Pilot

Using FOCUS-PDCA, the hospital identified an opportunity to decrease the 30 day readmission rate for heart failure patients.

In 2010, the rate for all payer patients was 32.4 percent. Through a partnership with Illinois Hospital Association, the facility implemented Project RED. The goal was to discharge patients with the tools and education necessary to improve health and compliance with treatments and to keep them functioning in the community.

A discharge transition coach role and an FTE were devoted to the program. Using methods such as intensive daily education with teach-back, an after hospital care plan and follow-up appointments and phone calls, the pilot population readmission rate dropped to 16.4 percent and the all facility rate to 23.1 percent. This led to a full roll out of the program and the development of a nurse practitioner led heart failure clinic opening in June 2012. 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.)