Reducing Readmissions and Unnecessary Hospitalization

Course Code: REL-PAC-LIVE-RRUH

Hours: 1

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2024

Learning Objectives:
Describe the historical data regarding readmission rates and the financial impact on the healthcare system.
Define the research findings regarding the most common reasons why residents are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge.
Identify chronic diseases that have a higher risk for readmission.
Identify three interventions that staff working in the community living environment can use to prevent readmissions.
List early warning signs that a senior’s condition is deteriorating.
Describe the outcomes for people who received a post-discharge pharmacist review.

Outline:
I. Introduction A. Risk to persons readmitted B. Readmission rates C. Common conditions 1. Heart failure 2. Myocardial Infarction 3. Pneumonia 4. COPD 5. Joint replacement 6. Coronary artery bypass grafting II. Causes of Readmission A. Delay in provider communication B. Lagging test results C. Medications 1. Elder consumption 2. Polypharmacy 3. Adverse drug reactions 4. Failure to fill medications D. Follow up 1. Lack of early intervention E. Learning Engagement: multiple choice and True/False questions III. Evidence-Based Interventions A. Transitional care model B. Care transitions intervention C. Project RED D. Post-pharmacist intervention E. Learning Engagement: Identify risk assessment criteria IV. Key Contributors to Readmissions A. Multiple health conditions B. Communication C. Comprehension and application of instructions D. Lack of follow-up V. Interventions for the Community Living Environment A. Advocacy 1. Discharge instructions 2. Male residents 3. Socioeconomic implications 4. Different learning materials 5. Communication 6. Early follow-up 7. Medication reconciliation 8. High-risk residents 9. Pharmacy assistance 10. Recognizing signs of early deterioration B. Signs and symptoms of deterioration 1. Observable vs. ambiguous a. Fever b. Malaise c. Fatigue d. Flushed skin e. Falls f. Urinary changes g. Wounds h. Cough and congestion C. Learning Engagement: Distinguish between observable and ambiguous symptoms D. Symptoms of adverse drug reactions 1. Falls 2. Fast heart rate 3. Confusion 4. Lightheadedness 5. Behavior changes VI. Conclusion

Instructor: Laura L. Morgan, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Laura L. Morgan, MSN, RN, CCRP, NEA-BC, currently serves as the Clinical Education Specialist at Lincoln County Medical Center in Ruidoso, New Mexico.  She plans, develops, implements, and evaluates educational programs for clinicians, using the most current research and clinical data, while fostering the implementation of evidence-based practice. Ms Morgan is an endorsed member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates, member of Sigma Theta Tau international honors Society of nursing, an instructor for Basic Life Support, Advance Cardiovascular Life support and a Board Certified Nurse Executive-Advanced from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

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All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.

To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.