Discharge Call Back Phone Numbers - Everyone must read and comment that you will comply!

PICU and 7C,

We continue to have issues with no phone number being recorded on the discharge paperwork.  When this happens, the discharge call back center is unable to contact the patient/family to check on them and get feedback about their stay.  Using discharge call backs has been shown to increase compliance with post-hospitalization care regimens and reduce readmission.  If you have been following healthcare news of late, you will know that very soon Medicaid will no longer reimburse us for readmissions within 30 days.  It is imperative that you provide the correct contact number on the discharge paperwork 100% of the time.

A weekly report of non-compliance is now being sent to Pat Cauley, CEO; Maryilyn Schaffner, CNO; Debbie Browning, CH Director; John Sanders, CH Administrator; and all the nurse managers.  This week, 7C had 2 discharges on May 10th with no phone numbers recorded.  I will be following up with the RNs who discharged those patients, but want to remind everyone that this is a MUST HAVE for every discharge.  This is one small way we can help impact our financial situation and more importantly, improve the quality of care for our patients.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks, Melinda