Planning for postoperative care: A key strategy for reducing readmissions
With the expansion of Medicare readmission penalties to elective total-knee and total-hip arthroplasty patients in 2014 comes an increasing demand for OR leaders to ensure better postdischarge care. To avoid readmissions, OR management will have to be more proactive about reducing length of stay and complications and providing for care…
Escorts essential for ensuring postop patient safety
Before any elective surgery, patients are expected to arrange for an escort who will take responsibility for them at discharge—someone who will drive them home and possibly care for them as they recover from the effects of anesthesia. Despite a strict policy that patients must have a “responsible adult escort,”…
A plan for avoiding readmissions after surgery
A Medicaid patient is admitted to the hospital for repair of an enterocutaneous fistula. He’s considered a high risk for readmission after surgery because he doesn’t have a working refrigerator or telephone. That means he won’t be able to keep fresh food on hand or call his physician if he…
Accidents underscore need for escorts
A 44-year-old man has a knee arth-roscopy under local anesthesia and sedation. He remains conscious and alert during the procedure. He is able to eat and walk before he is allowed to leave. His friend doesn't show up to drive him home. While driving himself home, he has an accident…
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