D028 CPE Phase 1: Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program Overview

Student Name

Western Governors University

D028 Advanced Health Assessment for Patients and Populations

Prof. Name:

Date

D028 CPE Phase 1 Introduction to the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) to enhance care coordination, improve discharge planning, and foster better communication among healthcare providers. This initiative supports a national objective of elevating healthcare quality by linking reimbursement payments to providers based on specific quality-of-care metrics established by CMS and grounded in the Social Security Act. The primary metric used for evaluation is the rate of unintended hospital readmissions within 30 days post-discharge. This measure applies to six conditions or procedures that are risk-standardized and relevant to all healthcare facilities: acute myocardial infarction (AMI), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure (HF), pneumonia (PNA), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and elective primary total hip or knee arthroplasty.

Each facility’s performance metrics are benchmarked against other institutions with similar Medicare/Medicaid patient populations and adjusted to maintain budget neutrality. Facilities with readmission rates above acceptable thresholds face reimbursement reductions, capped at a maximum of 3%, calculated over a rolling performance period.

Patient Introduction

Who is the patient?

Donald, a 55-year-old male, is the patient selected for this project. He experienced an acute myocardial infarction (MI) and sought medical care promptly after symptom onset. Following diagnosis, he underwent angioplasty and stent placement through cardiac catheterization and has remained hospitalized for five days post-procedure.

What is his medical background?

Past Medical History: Hypertension, obesity, untreated hyperlipidemia
Past Surgical History: Right knee ACL repair, tonsillectomy (teenage years)
Family History: Notable for heart disease and hypertension
Lifestyle and Social Factors: Professor of mathematics with a master’s degree, spouse employed as an accountant, lives in a safe neighborhood with access to exercise spaces, but engages in physical activity only about once per week. His diet mostly consists of eating out at restaurants or his workplace cafeteria. Caffeine, alcohol, and soda consumption are moderate.
Allergies: None known
Healthcare Utilization: Has not visited his primary care provider in the last seven months.
Current Medications: Lisinopril, aspirin, atorvastatin, atenolol, clopidogrel
Religious Practices: Attends weekly services

Care Transition Plan

To maximize Donald’s recovery and reduce the risk of hospital readmission within 30 days, several key areas must be addressed prior to discharge.

Individual Considerations

Challenge	Plan of Action
Sedentary lifestyle	Implement a meaningful exercise program tailored to his capabilities.
Poor nutritional habits	Provide nutrition education and develop a customized diet plan.
Elevated BMI	Establish a weight management program with achievable goals.
Advancing age	Ensure that all educational materials and interventions are age-appropriate.
Family history of cardiac events	Educate on risk factors and prevention strategies.

Social Determinants of Health

Factor	Status and Recommendations
Access to exercise	Patient has easy access to safe, open exercise areas.
Housing	Stable housing with spouse and two young adult children.
Income	Stable dual-income household.
Education	Holds a Master’s degree; employed as a college professor.
Food Access	No barriers to grocery access; education needed to encourage healthy choices.
Healthcare Access	Has health insurance but underutilizes primary care services; immediate follow-up with PCP and cardiologist needed. Referrals to physical and occupational therapy are essential. Ensure transport availability for healthcare appointments.

Community Considerations

Aspect	Observations and Recommendations
Social support	Attends church weekly, but broader social support network should be evaluated for positive or negative influences.
Community resources	Local fitness centers and community health clinics provide additional support and education opportunities.

System-Level Considerations

Issue	Actions Needed
Systemic barriers	Investigate potential racial or other barriers to care despite insurance and apparent access.
Information sharing	Ensure all healthcare providers involved share patient information for coordinated care.

Condition-Specific Considerations

Aspect	Details
Post-operative care	Educate patient on wound care, signs of infection, and when to seek medical help.
Rehabilitation	Include assessments from physical and occupational therapists to optimize recovery.
Multidisciplinary approach	Ensure seamless communication between healthcare providers and patient for best outcomes and to avoid readmissions.

References

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). https://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicare-fee-for-service-payment/acuteinpatientpps/readmissions-reduction-program

Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1395ww(q) (2015).

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D028 CPE Phase 1: Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program Overview