Strategies to take hospitals off (revenue) diversion.
When a hospital goes on diversion, it not only loses potential revenue because new patients are not being admitted, but also relationships with physicians and patient satisfaction suffer. Often, diversion status is the result of emergency department (ED) overcrowding. A few simple steps can help hospitals resolve the diversion dilemma. Implement an admission and discharge center. Appoint a bed czar. Reduce length of stay. Enforce a hospital discharge time. Work with nursing on timely reporting of discharges. Work with ancillary departments to identify and resolve discharge delays.
Geer
Robert
R
Accelerated Receivables Management, Ltd., Park Ridge, Ill., USA. rgeer@armltd.com
Smith
Jim
J
D002641:Chicago; D003441:Crowding; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005377:Financial Management, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D010343:Patient Admission; D010351:Patient Discharge; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations