2022 CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE IMPROVEMENT AWARD
PROJECT TITLE: Readmission Prevention of Patients Discharging with COVID-19
RECIPIENT: Kaiser Permanente of Washington
CATEGORY: Readmission Prevention
ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic may be in everyone’s rearview mirror, but that period taught the healthcare industry many lessons. How care was facilitated and delivered changed rapidly. Kaiser Permanente Washington (KPW) decreased readmission rates for patients treated for COVID-19 pneumonia. Many patients were discharged on oxygen and were at high risk for readmission. KPW developed a post-discharge follow-up program that greatly reduced the risk of readmission.
Patients treated for COVID-19 pneumonia and discharged on oxygen were closely followed by a case manager. Patients were contacted 48 hours after discharge and received five additional calls. The case managers monitored their symptoms and oxygen usage, providing education and support, like when to call their physician.
RESULTS / OUTCOMES: The readmission rate between 2020 and 2021 was only 1% as a result of this new process. The estimated cost savings was $11,375,000. Due to the success of this process, KPW has continued the post-discharge follow-up post-COVID.