Page 13 - February 2017

Cardiology A Special Thank

You to the January

2017 Host of the
Cardiology Care Coordination South Florida

Healthcare
Heart disease is cited as the leading reducing preventable emergency department vis-
cause of death for men and women. It is its and hospital readmissions.
stated that one person dies every forty sec- Given the substantial burden that heart failure Networking Group
onds from heart disease. The healthcare represents, payers and professional organizations
community has placed great importance have developed performance measures surround-
on focusing resources to improve heart ing patients and their treatment. These required
health outcomes and to reduce the finan- measures serve to encourage healthcare providers
cial burden incurred in treating this epi- to provide better care by following evidence-
demic. based practice guidelines. Healthcare analytics
Heart failure (HF) is one of the most can be quite useful in revealing opportunities to
common causes of hospitalization and improve performance, quality and efficiency. BOCA RATON
readmission. More than 25 percent of In 2013 Medicare introduced voluntary pay-
patients hospitalized for heart failure are BY JUDITH SCOTT, RN, ment model pilot programs to financially incen- REGIONAL
readmitted to the hospital within 30 days tivize improved quality and coordination of care HOSPITAL
of discharge. Although not all re-hospital- MSN, BBA at a lower cost for HF episode of care. Medicare’s
izations for CHF can be prevented, the cost and utilization metrics has shown that there
risk of re-hospitalization increases with lack of compliance to are great savings opportunities to be realized by payers,
discharge instructions. Compliance to medication, diet and providers and other stakeholders. The bundled-payment model For information about
activity regimens, and weight management are key factors in for cardiac care was the second mandatory demonstration proj- our next meeting of
improving outcomes. Patients should be well educated on iden- ect created by the agency. The mandatory component has SFHNG,
tifying signs and symptoms when CHF is not under good con- drawn criticism from providers, and the new administration.
trol. Post-discharge care should be coordinated with patients' Medicare has deemed it necessary to generate statistically reli- please email
primary care physicians who can help with medication recon- able estimates of the impact of the program in different settings.
ciliation to help prevent re-hospitalization. Care coordination There is still more to come on final rulings. charles@
intervention plays a very key role in improving patient out- Healthcare Navigation Systems provides consultation and southfloridahospitalnews.com
comes for this patient population. support for care coordination and outcomes improvement ini-
A multidisciplinary integrated care approach is seen as a best tiatives.
practice management of heart disease. Care coordination facili-
tates the communication and collaboration needed among Judith Scott is a senior consultant for Healthcare Navigation
stakeholders. The key goals of care coordination are; the man- Systems. For more information, call (561) 444-9011
agement of the transitions of care, medication reconciliation, or visit www.healthnavisystems.com.

Healthcare is a profession under constant
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South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com February 2017 13