What Can You Learn From An Admissions Review? Reducing Improper Admissions

Admitting To Improper Admissions

Hospitals depend on a steady flow of patients to remain open and profitable. Improper admissions could be dangerous, costing hospitals millions each year. How can hospitals reduce improper admissions? By completing an admissions review. This review can reveal massive areas of improvement.

What is an admissions review?

An admissions review is an assessment of patients coming through the emergency department (ED). The ED needs both a steady supply and the correct triage in the fastest possible time. By checking a series of metrics and quality targets, hospitals can reduce improper admissions. Through the review, administrators can uncover a few critical gaps that can cost money and even the closure of the hospital.

What’s our quality of care?

What better place to start than the feedback of the patients? An admissions review should involve the opinions of the patients. How did patients view the quality of care? What happened during admission that the hospital can improve? Use the information from the HCAHPS or other surveys for the admissions review. Simple feedback can help the hospital reduce admissions by merely addressing the needs of patients.

A case by case performance

Reviews reveal a successful or failing case management system. A rise in improper admissions is often tied to poor case management. Each patient is considered a case and needs to be assessed and assigned based on the ailment. The management of the process usually involves one or more medical professionals. If there are insufficient case managers, there could be a rise in improper admissions. The hospital’s administration can implement strategies like remote case management to fill gaps. Proper case management also provides specialists to hospitals that might not previously have access to these services, such as in rural areas.

The right experts in the right positions

The review can reveal if there is a breakdown in communication due to a lack of expertise. Smaller hospitals, for instance, may be overwhelmed due to a smaller staff. There may be incorrect diagnoses happening, causing improper admissions. The data may reveal the need for hospitalists or advanced medical practitioners to improve the process.

An admissions review gauges cost and revenue

When all is done, the assessment will give an idea of the cost and revenue of the hospital. Hospitals can lose millions in improper admissions. Incorrect claims to Medicare, for example, can bring unwanted fees. The institution can also lose review from merit-based incentive systems due to a flawed admissions process. The assessment can help the hospital pump more resources into strategies like telehealth, remote management, and additional staff. These initiatives will pay off in the long run.

Consider frequent admission reviews today

An admissions review is the best way to monitor performance. Performance includes patient volume, patient behavior, and how the hospital treats each patient. The data then helps management make essential changes to reduce improper admissions, like case management. Consider a bi-yearly and yearly admissions review for the steps to make an immediate improvement.