Hospital Case Management – March 1, 2013
March 1, 2013
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ED boarding creates patient safety issues, increases risk of mortality
Keeping admitted patients on stretchers in hallways because there are no inpatient beds available is an increasing problem as emergency departments experience an increase in patients and hospitals downsize their bed capacity. -
Early discharge planning improves throughput
The key to avoiding emergency department boarding is to move patients through the continuum as quickly and safely as possible. -
Avoid temporary solutions to patient flow
If your hospital moves discharged patients out of their room before they have transportation home or admits patients to the nursing station while they wait for a room, its time to rethink the idea, some experts say. -
ED designed to focus on issues faced by seniors
When patients who are over age 65 come into the emergency department at St. Mary Mercy Livonia Hospital in Livonia, MI, they are triaged to a 14-bed dedicated senior emergency department unit designed to meet the special needs of the senior population. -
Alter the space to make ED senior-friendly
Because the needs of the senior population are different from the needs of younger patients, hospitals should make changes to create an emergency department geared to the needs of seniors, says William Thomas, MD, an elder care expert who is working with Livonia, MI-based Trinity Health on geriatric issues and development of the senior emergency departments. -
MAC mobile reviews an eye-opening experience
The first time Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, NY, experienced a mobile review from National Government Services, New Yorks Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), the panel of three nurses reviewed 20 cases on site and denied claims for all 20 cases. -
Patients surveyed post-discharge
The patient access department has been the facilitator of discharge calls to emergency department (ED) patients for several years, and customer service has improved dramatically as a result, reports Cynthia Norman-Bey, director of patient access services and the Private Branch Exchange Call Center at Glendale (CA) Adventist Medical Center. -
BYOD policies address personal issues
Smartphones, laptops, and tablets are everywhere. The convenience of mobile devices has made healthcare documentation, follow up, and communication simpler and faster. -
Case Management Insider: Managing Length of Stay Using Patient Flow — Part 2
Last month, we reviewed the fundamentals to patient flow concepts and theories.