title: Avoiding readmissions-support systems required after discharge to continue rapid recovery?
abstract: Increasing participation in alternative payment models such as episode-of-care has become a driving force to improve outcomes while decreasing cost. Reducing the hospital length of stay and discharging patients to home have been shown to decrease readmissions, thereby achieving these goals. The purpose of this study was to determine if utilization of a patient management support system, TAVHealth™ in our clinical pathway would reduce our readmission rates during the episode-of-care. We retrospectively reviewed 1874 total joint arthroplasties, 1281 TJAs in the pre-TAVHealth™ group (2009-2012) and 593 TJRs in the post TAVHealth™ group (2013-2014). Despite a low length of stay (1.2days) there was a significant reduction in readmissions from 205 (16.0%) to 54 (9.2%) with incorporation of this patient management support system into our clinical pathway.
authors: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, HipKnee Arkansas Foundation, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors: Paul K
authors: PK
authors: Edwards
authors: Arkansas Specialty Orthopedics, HipKnee Arkansas Foundation, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Levine
authors: Catholic Health Initiatives-St. Vincent Infirmary, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Cullinan
authors: Arkansas Specialty Orthopedics, HipKnee Arkansas Foundation, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors: Gordon
authors: G
authors: Newbern
authors: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, HipKnee Arkansas Foundation, Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors: C Lowry
authors: CL
authors: Barnes
mesh_terms: D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010346:Patient Care Management; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000191:economics; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: length of stay; preoperative education; rapid recovery; readmission; total joint arthroplasty