Health care reform intended to address the massive costs of American patient care will have a deal of work ahead. Practicing preventative medicine is vital to the nation’s well-being, yet America doesn’t appear to be proficient in that regard. After just 30 days, says a 2009 New England Journal of Medicine study, about 20 percent of patients are ready to go back to the hospital for the exact same problem that previously required they be admitted. In 90 days, one-third of patients have bounced back into care for the exact same problems. Startlingly, after one year, two-thirds are either readmitted or they die.
Re-admission of patients is a costly dilemma
The Huffington Post reports that Medicare cost taxpayers $17.4 billion in 2004. That gigantic figure forced Medicare to start monitoring hospitals in order to track the high re-admission rate problem. Those with high re-admit rates are financially penalized. A new industry was born amidst the turmoil; private corporations would extend their efficiency expert services to afflicted hospitals. These efficiency experts no doubt have many clients, as surveys show that 75 percent of re-admits are avoidable if proper care is given in the first place.
Hospitals and nursing facilities point fingers at one an additional
Lack of proper communication is apparently the common ingredient when it comes to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities providing sub-par care that leads to re-admission. Incomplete patient notes and post-care regimen instructions are definite problems. Older patients on Medicaid who are passed back and forth between care facilities tend to be one of the most vulnerable victims caught within the crossfire.
How Medicare and private insurance may be hurting themselves
The American Geriatric Society found in a recent study that Medicare and insurance businesses prefer to recommend skilled nursing facilities over inpatient rehab for stroke victims, reports the Post. This is done due to lower costs up front, but the rebound rate at skilled nursing facilities in this scenario is seven times higher. The foresight to see beyond the lower price tag is a skill Medicare and private insurers must develop.
Ask questions of your doctor and care facility
Medical care facilities will usher patients out as easily as possible unless patients and their loved ones force them to slow down and answer questions. This is why it is vitally essential that patients (Medicare or otherwise) and their loved ones question doctors concerning the risk of re-admission, and to make sure they understand the necessary care going forward. If you’d like more data on what questions to ask, have a look at the Huffington Post article.
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Huffington Post
huffingtonpost.com/richard-c-senelick-md/the-bounce-back-effect-ho_b_677575.html
