A Multidisciplinary Approach to Reducing Hospital Readmission Rates: Perspectives of Different Healthcare Providers
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Keywords
hospital readmissions, multidisciplinary approach, care transitions, patient education, medication reconciliation, social support
Abstract
Hospital readmissions pose a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide, leading to increased healthcare costs, resource utilization, and patient morbidity. Reducing readmission rates requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach involving various healthcare professionals. This article presents the perspectives of pharmacists, nurses, radiologists, social workers, public health professionals, and laboratory specialists on strategies to reduce hospital readmissions. By leveraging the unique expertise and contributions of each discipline, healthcare organizations can develop comprehensive interventions to improve care transitions, patient education, medication management, social support, and post-discharge follow-up. Key strategies include medication reconciliation, patient and caregiver education, discharge planning, social needs assessment, early outpatient follow-up, and the use of predictive models to identify high-risk patients. Effective communication and collaboration among the multidisciplinary team are essential for successful implementation. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach, healthcare systems can reduce readmission rates, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall quality of care
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