Discuss discharge resources that are available for chronic cardiorespiratory issues to support patient independence and prevent readmission. Explain how readmission affects reimbursement. What implications does readmission have on the hospital and on the patient?
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN Discussion Question Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competency 2.9.
Discharge resources play a crucial role in supporting patients with chronic cardiorespiratory issues to achieve independence and prevent readmission. These resources may include:
- Home Health Care: Home health nurses can provide skilled nursing care, education on disease management, medication management, and assistance with activities of daily living, promoting self-care and independence at home.
- Telehealth Services: Remote monitoring and telehealth services allow healthcare providers to monitor patients’ vital signs and symptoms remotely, enabling early detection of exacerbations and timely interventions, thereby reducing the likelihood of readmission.
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs: These programs offer comprehensive services, including exercise training, education, and counseling, to improve functional status, reduce symptoms, and enhance quality of life for patients with chronic respiratory conditions.
- Pharmacy Services: Pharmacists can conduct medication reconciliation, review drug regimens for efficacy and safety, and provide education on proper medication use, enhancing medication adherence and reducing adverse events that could lead to readmission.
- Disease-specific Education: Patient education programs focusing on self-management techniques, symptom recognition, and lifestyle modifications empower patients to take control of their condition, reducing the need for hospitalization.
Regarding reimbursement, readmission can have significant financial implications for healthcare providers. Medicare imposes penalties for excessive readmissions within 30 days of discharge for certain conditions, including heart failure and pneumonia, under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). Hospitals with higher-than-expected readmission rates may face reduced reimbursement from Medicare, impacting their financial sustainability and quality metrics.
For patients, readmission can lead to increased healthcare costs, disruption of daily life, and heightened anxiety about their condition. Moreover, frequent hospitalizations may indicate inadequate disease management or lack of access to appropriate resources, potentially compromising patients’ overall health outcomes and quality of life.
In conclusion, effective discharge planning and utilization of available resources are essential for promoting patient independence, reducing readmissions, and ensuring optimal outcomes for individuals with chronic cardiorespiratory issues. By implementing comprehensive discharge strategies, healthcare providers can improve patient satisfaction, enhance clinical outcomes, and mitigate financial risks associated with readmission penalties.
References:
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2008). The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. Washington, DC: American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/AcuteInpatientPPS/Readmissions-Reduction-Program