Bassett Receives Prestigious Award For Quality And Safety
Cooperstown, N.Y. – Bassett Medical Center’s work to further improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions recently earned it statewide recognition. Bassett was awarded the Healthcare Association of New York State’s Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety, which recognizes organizations that are playing a leading role in promoting improved health care delivery. More than 100 hospitals from around New York State that are members of the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) applied for the award.
In recent years, hospital readmission rates have grown steadily, with New York State’s rates reaching 20 percent. Congress recognized the financial implications of the hospital readmissions crisis and the federal government will soon begin penalizing hospitals with unacceptable readmission rates.
“While the financial consequences of readmissions are staggering, the toll a readmission takes on a patient and his or her family is enormous,” says Bassett’s Vice President of Performance Improvement and Care Coordination, Ronette Wiley. “Every readmission to the hospital takes patients away from their support systems, exposes them to potential hospital acquired conditions, and in the case of the elderly, may further compromise their ability to care for themselves once they are discharged. It is vital then that Bassett is committed to making sure the transition from hospital to home is thought through, and that the patient is comfortable and confident with their follow-up care.”
“Through our care transitions initiative, Bassett was able to significantly reduce its readmission rates and ensure patients benefited from an approach that sought to treat them effectively and in a coordinated and comprehensive manner,” notes Komron Ostovar, M.D., F.H.M, a hospitalist at Bassett Medical Center. “Our approach implemented the Society of Hospital Medicine’s Project BOOST (Better Outcomes for Older adults through Safe Transitions), which is a national initiative seeking to reduce a patient’s length of stay and improve their transitions, as well as strengthen the information flow between inpatient and outpatient providers. Each objective is essential in ensuring a patient receives the best care and desired outcomes, and Bassett was able to utilize and expand upon these goals.”
Both Dr. Ostovar and Lorraine Stubley, R.N., M.S., senior director of Care Coordination at Bassett, led the way with Bassett’s initiative. “We implemented a number of specific strategies and procedures,” says Stubley. “One feature of our work was employing a readmission risk tool, used at the time of admission to the hospital, to identify patients at high risk for later readmission. We also developed an aggressive follow-up phone call process after discharge to address discharge needs, as well as a 1-800 number for patients to call any time prior to their first discharge appointment. Through these steps and more, we were able to effectively lower Bassett’s readmission rates. Most importantly, the patients felt looked after, cared for, and truly helped by these services. Our patient satisfaction scores are measurable evidence that our methods work.”
In recognizing successful programs like Bassett’s, HANYS hopes to encourage other hospitals to assess their procedures for improving care and lowering readmission numbers. “Bassett Medical Center’s Pinnacle Award-winning initiative reduces hospital readmissions by ensuring that patients receive proper care and follow-up after they are discharged from the hospital. This program improves care in the communities Bassett serves and is a successful model that can be adapted by other providers,” notes HANYS’ President, Daniel Sisto.
“There were minimal costs associated with introducing the majority of the elements involved with these programs,” continues Wiley. “And in the end, it’s the patient who benefits most.”
