Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Reducing the rate of rehospitalization from postacute care: a quality improvement project
Cynthia Jacelon1, Barbara Macdonald, Fran Fitzgerald
1College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA; Jewish Geriatric Services, Longmeadow, MA, USA.
Purpose:
To evaluate rehospitalizations and develop a strategy to reduce the number of individuals sent back to the hospital within 30 days of admission from postacute care services including skilled care, long-term care, and home care.
Design:
Using the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) format outlined by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, we implemented and evaluated a quality improvement project.
Methods:
The number of rehospitalizations was calculated and chart audit was used to determine the reasons. Interventions were designed to decrease the number of reasons individuals had to return to the hospital.
Findings:
Five rehospitalizations were deemed preventable. Interventions were designed to improve staff knowledge.
Conclusions:
The effectiveness of interventions and rehospitalization rates continue to be monitored. The rehospitalization rates from these agencies are low. Low rehospitalization rates are good for clients and improve desirability as a source for care posthospitalization.
Clinical Relevance:
Understanding causes for rehospitalization, providing skills and knowledge aimed at the root causes of hospitalization, and reducing the rate of rehospitalization improves nursing practice and reimbursement.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
01:19Restorative Care
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:31Discharge Summary Forms
Here's a detailed look at the key components and guidelines for preparing a discharge summary: