Patient education program slashes ED readmissions.
Boston University Medical Center's ED saw 30% fewer readmits after the implementation of a new patient education discharge program. The program has several key elements that contributed to its success, including: Customized booklets for each patient, with information specific to their disease or injury, their medications, and follow-up appointments. Charts in which patients can track important data, such as their blood sugar levels. Contact by a pharmacist two to four days after discharge to reinforce the key education messages.
D001900:Boston; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D010174:Pamphlets; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000639:trends*