Health care in America is exceedingly costly, which means that any new programs that stem from health care reform have work cut out for them. Efficient practice of preventative medicine is essential, yet it’s a category where America fails miserably. According to a 2009 study by the New England Journal of Medicine, one-fifth of Medicare patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. After 90 days, that percentage increases to one-third. After a year, a frightening 67 percent are back – or dead.
Re-admission of patients is a costly dilemma
Medicare cost America $17.4 billion in 2004, writes the Huffington Post. That cash black hole forced Medicare to begin paying closer attention to which hospitals had the highest bounce-back rate of re-admission. Those hospitals with the greatest occurrence of re-admission faced economic sanctions. A new industry was born amidst the turmoil; private businesses 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 blame each other
Lack of communication between acute care hospitals and skilled nursing facilities is a common thread in just how likely a patient is to keep away from rebounding back into care. Not providing enough patient and medication info, neglecting follow-up appointments and providing confusing or contradictory patient care instructions are just some of the major problems America’s health care system faces, writes the Post. Older patients on Medicaid – particularly those who shuttle between different types of care facilities – are among one of the most at risk in this communication black hole.
Insurance businesses and Medicare frequently display short-sightedness
According to the Huffington Post, Medicare and private insurers will invariably recommend skilled nursing over inpatient rehab for stroke victims in recovery. Doing so is less expensive upfront, but the rebound rate is 14.3 percent at the former, when the more intensive care given at inpatient rehabilitation facilities results in only a 2 to 3 percent re-admission rate. 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 regarding the risk of re-admission, and for making sure they understand the necessary care going forward. For more info on specific questions, see the Huffington Post article listed below.
Further reading
Huffington Post
huffingtonpost.com/richard-c-senelick-md/the-bounce-back-effect-ho_b_677575.html
