A comprehensive and reliable discharge plan, along with post discharge support, can reduce readmission rates, improve health outcomes, and ensure quality transitions. To help organizations achieve these goals, IHI is proud to offer Avoiding Readmissions: Optimizing the Transition from Hospital to Home. This two-day seminar will assist teams in enhancing communications, supporting patients and families, eliminating waste, and improving workflow using ideas that have been tested in Transforming Care at the Bedside Learning and Innovation Community in the IHI IMPACT network.

When a patient’s transition from the hospital to home is less than optimal, the repercussions can be far-reaching, including readmissions to the hospital, adverse medical events and, in some cases, mortality. Poorly designed discharge processes also create unnecessary stress for medical staff, who experience failed communications, rework, and frustrations. If patients have insufficient information and understanding of their diagnoses, medication, and self-care needs, they cannot fully participate in their care during and after hospital stays. Insufficient communication also creates unnecessary confusion — as well as opportunities for errors — during handoffs to community providers, such as physician practices, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and home care providers.  

Listen to a recording of the July 15, 2008, information call about the program.