Seize the day: A quality improvement approach to support transition of care and decrease 30-day readmissions for...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Quality Improvement Science
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Elevated 30-day readmission rates for pediatric epilepsy patients were identified.
• A need for improved discharge preparation and home transition support was recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement a standardized education pathway for pediatric epilepsy patients.
• To decrease unplanned 30-day readmissions through enhanced discharge preparedness.

Main Methods:

• A quality improvement (QI) approach was used to develop and implement a standardized education pathway.
• An interprofessional team received training on the pathway's communication and components.
• Patients and families received education, simulation, and teach-back exercises.

Main Results:

• A 27.6% decrease in unplanned 30-day readmissions was observed over six years.
• Estimated cost savings of $950,000 were achieved due to the program's implementation.

Conclusions:

• The standardized pathway effectively educates on epilepsy management and reduces pediatric readmissions.
• Standardized educational plans are crucial for effective discharge teaching and home epilepsy care.
• Continuous education refreshers, new nurse onboarding, and multilingual translations are vital for sustainability and health equity.