Using Lean Six Sigma to Reduce 30 Day Admissions
Using Lean Six Sigma to Prevent or Reduce 30 Day Readmissions
Tamara Forte-Blackwell
Indiana Wesleyan University
I have read and understand the plagiarism policy as outlined in the syllabus and the sections in the Student Bulletin relating to the IWU Honesty/Cheating Policy. By affixing this statement to the title page of my paper, I certify that I have not cheated or plagiarized in the process of completing this assignment. If it is found that cheating and/or plagiarism did take place in the writing of this paper, I understand the possible consequences of the act/s, which could include expulsion from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Tamara Forte April 12, 2013
Using Lean Six Sigma to Prevent or Reduce 30 Day Readmissions
Background As changes imposed by health care reform begin to roll out in hospitals across the United States, facilities reorganize and strategize to develop models which will mirror the reform that is long overdue in healthcare. For years hospitals have been rewarded, by way of reimbursement payments, to readmit patients. The National average of readmissions attributable to total reimbursements Research reports that up to 20 percent of hospital discharged Medicare patients are readmitted in 30 days (Jencks, Williams, & Coleman, 2009). The incentive to provide quality of care in such a manner that patients discharged from the hospital will remain healthy and complication free has never existed. In fact, no rewarding incentive exists even today. However, motivation to reduce patient readmissions is presently one of the most discussed topics in healthcare organizations nationwide. The motivating factor should have been obvious all along; to provide optimal care to patients’ during the hospitalization along with the appropriate discharge services, and follow up care to avoid readmissions. Healthcare organizations’ manic focus on readmissions has been prompted by money, not as a reward, but
Tamara Forte-Blackwell
Indiana Wesleyan University
I have read and understand the plagiarism policy as outlined in the syllabus and the sections in the Student Bulletin relating to the IWU Honesty/Cheating Policy. By affixing this statement to the title page of my paper, I certify that I have not cheated or plagiarized in the process of completing this assignment. If it is found that cheating and/or plagiarism did take place in the writing of this paper, I understand the possible consequences of the act/s, which could include expulsion from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Tamara Forte April 12, 2013
Using Lean Six Sigma to Prevent or Reduce 30 Day Readmissions
Background As changes imposed by health care reform begin to roll out in hospitals across the United States, facilities reorganize and strategize to develop models which will mirror the reform that is long overdue in healthcare. For years hospitals have been rewarded, by way of reimbursement payments, to readmit patients. The National average of readmissions attributable to total reimbursements Research reports that up to 20 percent of hospital discharged Medicare patients are readmitted in 30 days (Jencks, Williams, & Coleman, 2009). The incentive to provide quality of care in such a manner that patients discharged from the hospital will remain healthy and complication free has never existed. In fact, no rewarding incentive exists even today. However, motivation to reduce patient readmissions is presently one of the most discussed topics in healthcare organizations nationwide. The motivating factor should have been obvious all along; to provide optimal care to patients’ during the hospitalization along with the appropriate discharge services, and follow up care to avoid readmissions. Healthcare organizations’ manic focus on readmissions has been prompted by money, not as a reward, but
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