ECRI Helps 11-member Short Stay Collaborative Reduce Falls by 15% and Readmission Rates by 28%

Problem

Short-stay care is an important part of what many aging-services providers have to offer. However, short-stay care is a different paradigm from long-term care, and it poses unique resident safety, liability, strategic, and financial risks. To minimize short-stay risks and improve quality of care practices, ECRI led a QAPI-style collaborative that included representatives from 11 aging-services organizations. The primary areas of focus included reducing fall rates and hospital readmissions and improving resident satisfaction scores. The overall goal of the collaborative was to reduce incidents and claims throughout the organizations by implementing data- and quality-driven performance-improvement projects (PIPs). 

Solution

To help the organizations measure the critical impacts of quality of care and outcomes, they were provided useful and effective strategies—such as an all teach all-learn approach. The focus of the collaborative improvement was on implementation of purposeful rounding, recognition of change in resident condition, and enhancing discharge practices. Additional risk-management strategies for short-stay programs were also discussed during roundtables. The roundtable topics focused on admissions, relationship-building with residents, falls prevention, discharge processes, and hospital readmissions. ECRI provided guidance, tools, and support to all participants throughout the process.

To quantifiably measure process improvement, data was collected and submitted monthly by the organizations. It was then analyzed by ECRI throughout the collaborative to establish a baseline before the implementation of rounding and to determine outcomes of rounding practices. Data sets were used to identify performance gaps, develop individual member PIPs, and measure the effectiveness of the changes.

Result

The short-stay collaborative proved effective in helping aging-services organizations reduce falls and readmission rates, while also improving resident-satisfaction scores. As a collaborative, fall rates decreased by 15%, readmission rates decreased by 28.1%, and satisfaction scores increased by 2%. These results not only enhanced resident care but also reduced risk in the organizations’ short-stay units. By working together, teaching QAPI methodologies, and sharing lessons learned in a safe environment, providers can drive purposeful change to improve quality of care.

This is one example of how ECRI Safety Consulting Services can help leaders reduce risk and advance resident-safety goals in aging-services organizations. We are ready to do the same for you.