Retrospective Analysis of the Effect of Postdischarge Telephone Calls by Hospitalists on Improvement of Patient Satisfaction and Readmission Rates

Background: Heart failure (HF) hospitalization rates have remained high in the past 10 years. Numerous studies have shown significant improvement in HF readmission rates when pharmacists or pharmacy residents conduct postdischarge telephone calls. Objective: The purpose of this retrospective review of a pilot program was to evaluate the impact of pharmacy student–driven postdischarge phone calls on 30- and 90-day hospital readmission rates in patients recently discharged with HF. Methods: A retrospective manual chart review was conducted for all patients who received a telephone call from the pharmacy students. The primary endpoint compared historical readmissions, 30 and 90 days prior to hospital discharge, with 30 and 90 days post discharge readmissions. For the secondary endpoints, historical and postdischarge 30-day and 90-day readmission rates were compared for patients with a primary diagnosis of HF and for patients with a secondary diagnosis of HF. Descriptive statistics were calculated in the form of means and standard deviations for continuous variables and frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Results: Statistically significant decrease was observed for both the 30-day ( P = .006) and 90-day ( P = .007) readmission periods. Prior to the pharmacy students’ phone calls, the overall group of 131 patients had historical readmission rates of 24.43% within 30 days and 38.17% within 90 days after hospital discharge. After the postdischarge phone calls, the readmission rates decreased to 11.45%, for 30 days, and 22.90%, for 90 days. Conclusion: Postdischarge phone calls, specifically made by pharmacy students, demonstrated a positive impact on reducing HF-associated hospital readmissions, adding to the growing body of evidence of different methods of pharmacy interventions and highlighting the clinical impact pharmacy students may have in transition of care services.

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A 3-Year Retrospective Analysis of Total Operating Time, Length of Stay, and Readmission Rates for Orthognathic Surgery

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery ◽

10.1097/01.prs.0000472432.80787.1a ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 136 ◽

pp. 122

Author(s):

Natasha Louise Berridge ◽

Harriet Brookman ◽

Carlo Capuno ◽

Timothy LLoyd

Keyword(s):

Length Of Stay ◽

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Orthognathic Surgery ◽

Operating Time ◽

Readmission Rates ◽

Time Length ◽

Total Operating Time

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Radiologic Efficacy and Patient Satisfaction after Minimally Invasive Unilateral Laminotomy and Bilateral Decompression in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Retrospective Analysis

Journal of Neurological Surgery Part A Central European Neurosurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1701621 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 81 (06) ◽

pp. 475-483

Author(s):

Seung-Kook Kim ◽

Sungmo Ryu ◽

Eun-Sang Kim ◽

Sun-Ho Lee ◽

Su-Chan Lee

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Spinal Stenosis ◽

Surgical Procedure ◽

Lateral Recess ◽

Lateral Recess Stenosis ◽

Lumbar Spinal

Abstract Background and Study Aims Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is the most common spinal disease in older adults. Although surgical modalities are recommended in patients who are unresponsive to conservative treatment, the most appropriate minimally invasive surgical procedure for patients with LSS remains controversial. Moreover, few previous studies have focused on patient-centered outcomes with radiologic correlation. In the present study, we aimed to investigate radiologic efficacy and patient satisfaction following bilateral decompression via unilateral laminotomy. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of radiologic efficacy and patient satisfaction in a series of surgical patients treated at our institution. We classified patients into two groups based on the primary pathology (i.e., central or lateral recess stenosis). Medical records were analyzed retrospectively for radiologic outcomes and clinical parameters including pain and changes in quality of life. Data related to outcomes were collected at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months after surgery in the outpatient clinic. Results Among the 122 patients enrolled in this study, 51 had central spinal stenosis; 71 had lateral recess stenosis. Radiologically, we observed significant improvements in the anteroposterior diameter and cross-sectional area of the dural sac (central stenosis) and the lateral width of the central canal and depth of the lateral recess (lateral recess stenosis). Two weeks and 12 months after the surgical procedure, we observed significant improvements in the extent of symptoms, patient satisfaction, and quality of life (including physical function). Conclusion Our findings suggest that bilateral decompression via a unilateral approach shows improved radiologic outcomes, varying based on the type of stenosis. Furthermore, patient satisfaction significantly improved regardless of the type of disease.

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Pharmacist Transition-of-Care Services Improve Patient Satisfaction and Decrease Hospital Readmissions

Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/0897190020958264 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 089719002095826

Author(s):

Katherine L. March ◽

Michael J. Peters ◽

Christopher K. Finch ◽

Lauchland A. Roberts ◽

Katie M. McLean ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Hospital Readmissions ◽

Transitions Of Care ◽

Control Group ◽

Readmission Rates ◽

Improve Patient Satisfaction ◽

Phone Calls ◽

Improve Patient

Background: Pharmacists ability to directly impact patient satisfaction through increases in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) surveys utilizing transitions-of-care (TOC) services is unclear. Methods: Retrospective analysis of TOC patients from 07/01/2018 to 03/31/2019 was conducted. Intervention (INV) patients received pharmacist medication reconciliation and education prior to discharge and post-discharge telephone follow-up. All other patients served as control group (CON). Primary outcome: Evaluate impact of TOC services on HCAHPS scores for “Communication about Medicines” and “Care Transitions.” Secondary outcomes: 30-day readmissions, quantification of prevented potential safety events, assessment of discharge prescriptions sent to the academic medical center outpatient pharmacy (MOP) for TOC patients. Results: Of 1,728 patients screened, 414 patients met inclusion criteria (INV = 414, CON = 1314). A significant improvement (14.7%; p = <0.0001) in overall medication-related HCAHPS results was seen when comparing pre- vs post-implementation of the TOC service. Statistically significant increases for individual questions “staff told you what the medicine was for” (14.2%; p = 0.018), “staff describe possible effects” (21.2%; p = 0.004), and “understood the purpose of taking medications” (11.4%; p = 0.035) were observed. A non-significant decrease in 30-day readmission rates for the groups was observed (CON 16.4%, INV 13.3%; p = 0.133); however, an unplanned subgroup analysis evaluating impact of discharge phone calls on 30-day readmission rates revealed a significant reduction of 17.3% to 12.4% (p = 0.007). One hundred forty-three medication safety event(s) were potentially prevented by the TOC pharmacist. Lastly, 562 prescriptions were captured at the MOP as a result of the TOC initiative. Conclusions: Pharmacy-based TOC models can improve patient satisfaction, prevent hospital readmissions, and generate revenue.

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Association of Patient-Reported Readiness for Discharge and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers and Systems Patient Satisfaction Scores: A Retrospective Analysis

Journal of the American College of Surgeons ◽

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2015.09.009 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 221 (6) ◽

pp. 1073-1082.e3 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Ryan K. Schmocker ◽

Sara E. Holden ◽

Xia Vang ◽

Glen E. Leverson ◽

Linda M. Cherney Stafford ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Retrospective Analysis ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Care Providers ◽

Patient Satisfaction Scores ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Hospital Consumer Assessment ◽

Consumer Assessment

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Postdischarge 24/7 hotline service for neurology and neurosurgery patients and 1-year impact on readmission rates, unplanned emergency department visits, and patient satisfaction

Asian Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.4103/ajns.ajns_479_20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 312

Author(s):

MuhammadShahzad Shamim ◽

Shafqat Bibi ◽

Rida Mitha ◽

Kiran Bano ◽

Farida Datoo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

Readmission Rates

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Effect of Postoperative Telephone Calls on Patient Satisfaction and Scar Satisfaction After Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Dermatologic Surgery ◽

10.1097/dss.0000000000001913 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 (12) ◽

pp. 1459-1464 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stephen Vance ◽

Natalia Fontecilla ◽

Faramarz H. Samie ◽

Vishal Patel ◽

Jesse M. Lewin

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Mohs Micrographic Surgery ◽

Micrographic Surgery ◽

Telephone Calls

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The estimated hospital-wide financial impact of a comprehensive inpatient palliative care (PC) program.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2016.34.26_suppl.173 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽

pp. 173-173

Author(s):

Sarina Isenberg ◽

Chunhua Lu ◽

John P McQuade ◽

A. Rab Razzak ◽

Natasha Gill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Quality Of Care ◽

Direct Cost ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Family Satisfaction ◽

Financial Impact ◽

Small Data ◽

Readmission Rates

173 Background: Inpatient PC improves quality of care, patient and family satisfaction, and lowers costs. PC consultation during a cancer hospital stay led to a 14 (if by day 6) to 24% (by day 2) reduction in direct cost, and especially when people had comorbidities. (May, JCO 2015; Health Affairs 2016). We attempted to discern the financial impact of both a PC inpatient unit (PCU) and PC consultations on patients in other inpatient units for a large academic medical center, the Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH), as we prepared to expand the PCU from 6 to11 beds and increased inpatient PC consultation capacity. Methods: We estimated the savings for an 11 bed PCU based on cost per day from FY 2015 with a 6 bed unit ($444 lower costs per PCU day compared to inpatient stay prior to transfer to the PCU). We then calculated the cost savings for an 11 bed unit operating at 80% occupancy. We estimated the direct cost savings of consultations by adjusting the $/discharge saved (Morrison, Arch Int Med 2008) to 2014 $ (by multiplying the $/discharge saved by 1.4 to adjust for medical inflation). Results: The PCU inpatient stays resulted in projected lower costs of $6.7M over 5 years ($444/day x 3009 days/year, or $~1.3M yearly). IP revenue and margins were small (data not shown). For PC consults of 785 alive discharges ($2197/case) and 97 decedent discharges ($6357/case), total estimated savings in direct costs per case are $2,530,000/year. The PCU allows for additional benefits not calculated in this analysis, including inpatient backfill opportunities, more appropriate ICU bed use, savings from increased referral to hospice (hospice referrals increased 340% in 3 years), and reduced readmission rates from increased PC and hospice use. Conclusions: In addition to improving quality of care and patient satisfaction, the combined IP and consult PC programs contribute to substantially lower charges and costs per day. Backfill revenue, the opportunity for increased revenue from improved patient satisfaction (HCAHPS) scores, and reduced readmission rates will increase this financial impact. [Table: see text]

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