title: Automated Phone Assessments and Hospital Readmissions.
abstract: This analysis examined the efficacy of an automated postdischarge phone assessment for reducing hospital readmissions. All patients discharged between April 1, 2013, and January 31, 2014, from a single Level 1 trauma hospital of a large regional health system center utilizing an automated postdischarge phone assessment service were contacted via automated call between 24 and 72 hours post discharge. Patients answered 5 questions assessing perceived well-being, understanding of discharge instructions and medication regimen, satisfaction, and scheduled follow-up appointments. Responses could automatically prompt health personnel to speak directly with the patient. Data analysis examined rates of hospital readmission-any admission occurring within 30 days of a previous admission-for 3 broad categories of respondents: Answering Machine, Live Answer, and Unsuccessful. There were 6867 discharges included in the analysis. Of the Live Answer patients, 3035 answered all assessment questions; 153 (5.0%) of these had a subsequent readmission. Of the 738 Unsuccessful patients, 62 (8.4%) had a subsequent readmission. Unsuccessful patients were almost 2 times more likely to have a readmission than those who answered all 5 assessment questions. Of the latter group, readmission rates were highest for those who perceived a worsening of their condition (7.4%), and lowest for those reporting no follow-up appointment scheduled (3.8%). (Population Health Management 2016;19:120-124).
authors.affiliation: Phytel , Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.affiliation: Phytel , Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Courtemanche
authors.affiliation: Phytel , Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hodach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010359:Patient Readmission; D013685:Telecommunications; D055815:Young Adult