Date of Publication:
APR 2017
Associated Project:
All-Cause Admissions and Readmissions 2015-2017Abstract
Reducing avoidable admissions and readmissions to acute care facilities continues to be an important focus of quality improvement across the healthcare system. For this project, the All-Cause Admissions and Readmissions Standing Committee evaluated 11 newly submitted measures and six measures undergoing maintenance review against NQF’s standard evaluation criteria. Sixteen measures were endorsed. Currently, there are more than 46 NQF-endorsed admissions and readmissions measures. These measures have been adopted into various federal quality programs with the aim of reducing unnecessary admissions and readmissions by fostering improved care coordination across the healthcare system. The impact of sociodemographic status (SDS) on readmission measures continues to be an ongoing question. As payment penalties attached to the use of readmission measures increase, questions have arisen about how to improve performance without disproportionately affecting safety net facilities serving the most vulnerable populations. While admission and readmission rates continue to drop, it is imperative to ensure that they decrease safely and without adverse consequences for patients. In particular, reducing admission and readmission rates should be balanced with monitoring of unintended consequences to ensure that patients are getting the care that they need.
