On June 5, 117 attendees representing 26 hospitals and many other post-acute provider org​anizations and community based organizations learned about strategies for reducing readmissions, building community, and navigating POLST and more. Read the full Fast Facts for more information.

117 attendees from 26 hospitals plus several post-acute and community based organizations learned about:

Change Package for Readmission Reductions

Julia Slininger, RN, BS, CPHQ, VP Quality and Patient Safety, Hospital Association of Southern California

Attendees reviewed a compendium-in-brief of the tools, strategies, and resources that have been presented over the past year for attendees Readmissions Reductions Programs

Improving Quality and Building the Care Team to Reduce Avoidable Hospital Readmissions

Cheri Lattimer, RN, BSN, Executive Director, Case Management Society of America (CMSA), Executive Director, National Transitions of Care Coalition (NTOCC)

Attendees learned about the goals and the approach of the National Transitions of Care Coalition, and how to access the compendium of resources that this organization makes available at www.NTOCC.org/Compendium

Reducing Readmissions through Palliative Care & Use of POLST

Michael Demoratz, PhD, LCSW, CCM, Palliative Care Administrator, California Palliative Medical Associates, Partnering with VITAS Palliative Care Solutions

Attendees learned about the standardized POLST form (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment), and discussed the need for hospitals to advance their Palliative Care Consultation programs to help people with chronic conditions who are nearing end of life, to avoid undesired readmissions to the hospital

No Place Like Home- A California Campaign to Reduce Readmissions

Mary Fermazin, MD, MPA, Chief Medical Officer, and Chad Vargas, Project Director, Health Services Advisory Group

Attendees were given a demonstration of the recently launched campaign and website, hosted by the QIO, to further the goal of readmissions reduction in California and the nation

Enhancing Care Transitions to Reduce Readmissions at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, CA

Heather Heilmann, Sara Williams, and Laura Raya, the Chronic Disease & Care Transitions Program Team

Attendees learned about the aggressive approach and creative new position descriptions that power this program’s emphasis on preventing readmissions — a priority goal of the St. Joseph Health System ministries

Reducing Avoidable Acute Care Transfers from the Nursing Home

Anna Rahman, Ph.D. Program Director, CALTCM and Nancy Delaurentis, DON of Kindred San Marcos

Attendees participated in a panel discussion on reducing readmissions from the Nursing Home to the Hospital, with emphasis on the success of the INTERACT tool

Innovative Electronic Information Exchange to Ensure Safe Handoffs

Dr. Anil Goud, MD Independent Hospitalists, PLLC Founder & President, Electronic Health Record Exchange, LLC: Co-Founder & Medical Director

Attendees learned how the Electronic Health Record can be used effectively to help with care transitions and readmissions reduction, with emphasis on the importance of updated brief summary statements

These Programs are presented by: Hospital Association of Southern California, Health Services Advisory Group, and National Health Foundation Funded in part by: Anthem Blue Cross of California

Download presentations and additional materials for this meeting.