Unnecessary hospital readmissions represent an enormous burden for patients, families, health care providers and are costly both in financial and personal terms.(Want to reduce readmissions? Read our Center for Nursing article on nursing practices that reduce readmissions.)Becker’s Hospital Review reports on the costs of the 10 top Medicaid readamission conditions, with some surprises.
Chronic conditions like Diabetes, obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure are on the list as are acute conditions like sepsis and early labor.
What really stands out is the number of mental and behavioral health conditions that make the list. Schizophrenia, mood disorders, alcohol and substance disorders represent 113,000 readmissions, with schizophrenia and mood disorders making up the second and third most costly conditions.
These mental and behavioral health problems are on this list because many patients with these conditions are uniquely underserved by the existing health care system.
New and innovating approaches to treating patients with chronic health care conditions and mental illness are going to be a key piece of the puzzle of reducing costs and improving quality of care.
A fully-integrated health care clinic built on the Cherry Street Health Services model could be a way to reduce many of the financial and human costs of unnecessary readmissions.
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