Preventing Acute Hospital Admissions

Why is this important?

Preventing patients from having to go to the hospital is an important goal of WellSpan’s VNA Home Health.  To that end, staff members take steps during the patient’s home visit that can prevent hospitalization.  The VNA staff routinely assesses the patient’s medical status and notifies a physician if hospitalization is necessary.

How WellSpan Compares

Last year, WellSpan’s VNA Home Health treated 5,235 patients.  The following shows the monthly percentage of these patients who were admitted to the hospital after beginning home care. 

Unit of Measurement: Percentage

A lower score is better than a higher score.

What we are doing to improve our performance.

WellSpan’s VNA Home Health is committed to preventing unnecessary hospitalizations for patients.  The staff is working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Quality Improvement Organization to keep patients stable, healthy and cared for in their home whenever possible.   An Outcomes Based Quality Improvement workshop has been formed, which identified best practices, piloted hospitalization risk assessment at the start of care and integrated Telehealth into a plan of care for high-risk patients.  Telehealth uses electronic information and communication technology to deliver medical information and services through a standard telephone line.   VNA Home Health is participating in a nationwide study to determine the most effective ways to prevent its patients from having to go to the hospital.  For example, staff created a tool that helps them assess the patient’s risk for hospitalization.  The staff also has created new patient education materials, which clearly instruct patients on how to contact VNA at any time.  VNA nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.