BCHS part of 3-state initiative to reduce avoidable re-hospitalizations

Battle Creek Health System was selected to join 14 other Michigan hospitals in a three-state initiative aimed at reducing avoidable re-hospitalizations. The goal of the project is to find opportunities where hospitals can improve the communication process so when a patient is discharged to go home, they and their caregivers know exactly the kind of follow up care the patient should receive.

This 16-month effort will target unplanned, related re-hospitalizations - which are re-admissions that are not expected/scheduled, but whose reason is clinically related to the initial hospitalization.

"I think hospitals across the country ought to make every effort to assure that a member of the patient's family, or a caregiver, is present at discharge and a part of the care planning process," says Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at BCHS. "Depending upon their original reason for admission, I think a patient who might not feel 100% could find it challenging to take this responsibility themselves when they are discharged. We're trying to put additional practices in place that will make certain the patient has an active support system to help them when they are discharged so they can recuperate safely at home without re-hospitalization."

The initiative, known as MI STA*AR (Michigan STate Action on Avoidable Re-hospitalizations), is being coordinated by MPRO, Michigan's Quality Improvement Organization, and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality. Technical assistance is also provided through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), whose efforts are supported by a grant from The Commonwealth Fund.

"Our ultimate goal in this patient-centered effort is to improve the quality of life for the patients in our community that are at risk or potentially at risk for readmission to the hospital," adds Barb Mulder, BCHS manager of utilization and case management. "Even though this is a national problem, it is important to know that we here in Michigan are part of a groundbreaking collaborative to address the problem of readmission so others across the country can follow our lead."

BCHS has been at the forefront of national patient safety and health care quality improvement initiatives as an active participant of the Keystone: ICU directed by the state's hospital association and The Johns Hopkins University Quality & Safety Research Group since 2004. As a result of Keystone, medical errors are being avoided, and lives and health care costs are being saved.

Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission. Battle Creek Health System, a member of the Mercy Cancer Network, is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm) and 2009 Five Star rated for joint replacement surgery and total knee replacement. HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.

The Michigan hospitals taking part in this special project include:
Allegiance Health Mecosta County Medical Center
Battle Creek Health System Mid Michigan Health
Botsford Hospital Pennock Health Services
Charlevoix Area Hospital Portage Health
Crittenton Hospital Medical Center Spectrum Health System
Detroit Medical Center St. John Health System
Gerber Memorial Health Services University of Michigan Hospitals/Health Cntrs.
Henry Ford Hospital

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