Readmission rates are an essential care metric for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). While higher rates of readmission can indicate a lower quality of care, they also come at a cost. In 2018, it was estimated that the average cost of readmission was $16,037 — and this cost has likely only climbed over the years.
With the implications of readmissions, SNFs need to find better ways to deliver care, especially in care transitions post-discharge. Hospitalists are a key piece of this puzzle. These physicians provide critical leadership, collaboration, and oversight for skilled nursing centers. The impact of hospitalists on readmission rates is a positive one — presence, collaboration, and clinical best practices can reduce readmissions and improve patient outcomes.
Hospital readmission occurs when a patient has been discharged from a hospital and has to return the same or related care within 30, 60, or 90 days. Readmission rates are typically used as a quality measure for skilled nursing centers because they can signify a lower quality of care. Common causes of readmission include:
While some causes of readmission are hard to prevent, others can be mitigated with better care transitions. Approximately one in four patients discharged from a hospital to a SNF will be readmitted within 30 days. With strategies for smooth transitions of care, SNFs can find ways to disrupt this trend. Doing so can positively affect care outcomes and offer financial benefits, particularly since hospital readmissions equate to around $5.2 billion in Medicare costs annually.
Care transitions are vital to care outcomes, but they come with challenges like:
As a result of these challenges in care transitions, patient and resident outcomes suffer. When care needs are not clearly communicated and patients are not held accountable for their post-discharge care instructions, conditions worsen and rehospitalization rates rise.
Hospitalists are internal medicine physicians who specialize in inpatient care. The focus of this role is care coordination and leadership. Hospitalists will often order different tests and delegate tasks to other care providers, as well as ensure care is consistent and effective for each patient and resident’s unique needs.
While these providers often work in hospitals, they’re also commonly hired in skilled nursing centers. In these practices, hospitalists play the role of medical directors and attending physicians. As they would in a hospital setting, these providers focus on leading care teams and ensuring effective delivery of care.
In a SNF environment, this role is essential for complying with the medical director requirements set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This leadership role is required to drive a higher quality of care and prioritize quality metrics, like reducing rehospitalizations and improving patient satisfaction. Hospitalist-led care in skilled nursing facilities can also support smoother transitions of care.
While a hospitalist operating as your medical director and attending physician can support effective care transitions, there are other strategies your facility can use, including:
First Docs is a physician-first group dedicated to resolving challenges for facilities like SNFs. Our physicians have hospitalist training and operate as your center’s dedicated medical director and attending physician. With their leadership, your staff becomes more collaborative with shared quality objectives and ongoing clinical guidance.
Our physicians are on-site at your center five to seven days a week — well above the average for other hospitalists. First Docs physicians also focus on fewer facilities to give their time and attention to your complex patient and resident population. Count on your First Docs physician to lead your staff and support CMS compliance through medical director hours and QAPI meetings.
With improved care continuity and a more connected clinical environment, your facility can improve care transitions and reduce readmissions.
Hospitalists reduce SNF readmission rates through leadership, collaboration, and an in-depth understanding of patient and resident needs. With First Docs, the hospitalist at your center is more committed than most. With time dedicated to fewer facilities, our physicians understand the complexities of your SNF population and work to facilitate effective care. Get in touch with us today to get started.