title: Role of Physical Therapists in Reducing Hospital Readmissions: Optimizing Outcomes for Older Adults During Care Transitions From Hospital to Community.
abstract: Hospital readmissions in older adult populations are an emerging quality indicator for acute care hospitals. Recent evidence has linked functional decline during and after hospitalization with an elevated risk of hospital readmission. However, models of care that have been developed to reduce hospital readmission rates do not adequately address functional deficits. Physical therapists, as experts in optimizing physical function, have a strong opportunity to contribute meaningfully to care transition models and demonstrate the value of physical therapy interventions in reducing readmissions. Thus, the purposes of this perspective article are: (1) to describe the need for physical therapist input during care transitions for older adults and (2) to outline strategies for expanding physical therapy participation in care transitions for older adults, with an overall goal of reducing avoidable 30-day hospital readmissions.
authors.affiliation: J.R. Falvey, PT, DPT, Physical Therapy Program, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop C244, 13121 East 17th Ave, Room 3116, Aurora, CO 80045 (USA), and Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado. Jason.Falvey@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Jason R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Falvey
authors.affiliation: R.E. Burke, MD, MS, Research and Hospital Medicine Sections, Denver VA Medical Center, and Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: D. Malone, PT, PhD, Physical Therapy Program, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.affiliation: K.J. Ridgeway, PT, DPT, Physical Therapy Program, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Kyle J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ridgeway
authors.affiliation: B.M. McManus, PT, MPH, ScD, School of Public Health, Department of Health Systems, Management, and Policy, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
authors.forename: Beth M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.affiliation: J.E. Stevens-Lapsley, PT, PhD, Physical Therapy Program, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and Veterans Affairs Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Denver, Colorado.
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Stevens-Lapsley
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003153:Community Health Services; D004282:Documentation; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D063886:Patient Discharge Summaries; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010359:Patient Readmission; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D024382:Professional Role; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012648:Self Care; D000069341:Transitional Care