Where can I find information on the Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations Among Nursing Facility Residents?
A. CMS has provided a new website to assist Skilled Nursing Facility's with understanding this new initiative, see the link below:
- Help improve the quality of care for people in nursing facilities by reducing potentially avoidable inpatient hospitalizations.
- Implement evidence-based interventions that both improve care and lower costs.
- Focuses on long-stay nursing facility residents who are enrolled in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Statistics:
- CMS research (2005) shows approximately 45% of hospital admissions among SNF patients could have been avoided.
- Accounts for 314,000 potentially avoidable hospitalizations and $2.6 billion in Medicare expenditures in 2005.
- The Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations Among Nursing Facility Residents requires 2 phases for completion including Improving Clinical Care and Adding Payment Reform. For additional information see the above link.