Discussion Response 3

Jennifer L. Naegele

Dr. Steven Szydlowski

HAD - 505

August 9, 2020

Writing Assignment – Research Study 2

Background and Study Need

Readmission rates in hospitals today are increasingly becoming a problem that needs to be understood and addressed. This phenomenon is costing the health care system 17.4 billion dollars annually, which should be used in other development agendas if readmission rates are lowered (Boulding,2011). Apart from increasing unprecedented cost to the department of health, understanding this problem helps in the evaluation of the quality of care given to patients by the health facilities. The government needs to aid and promote researchers who will eventually provide a solution to this problem, costing the taxpayer a lot of money yearly. Solving the underlying cause of hospital readmission will also improve the value of health maintenance services accessible to the sick, resulting in a healthy, productive population (Boulding,2011). The report aims to identify whether satisfaction arising from the interaction of patients with medical staff can influence the rate of readmission within a month. Also, the patient's involvement in the discharge is a crucial variable that will be included to determine its effects in the readmission rates.

Statement of the Problem

To distinguish the connection among satisfaction of the patients during the inpatient care and the rate of readmission in the hospital in a period not exceeding thirty days.

Hypotheses/Research Questions

· Does higher satisfaction of patients within inpatient care lead to a decreased rate of hospital readmission in thirty days?

· Information cantered on patients is crucial in the management and assessment of hospital performance.

· Does good and accurate communication by hospital staffs increase patent's satisfaction?

· A valid discharge plan of patients reduces the rate of readmission in the hospital within thirty days.

Research Method/Design

The research was centered on patients 18 years old and above in inpatient care and those who had received inpatient care. Information from these patients aided in determining the measure of the quality of services in respective medical facilities (Boulding,2011). The research used observational analysis to compare data from various hospitals on performance and the satisfaction of patients. Additionally, a measure of RSRR rate (Risk- standardized readmission rate) in a month for patients with pneumonia, heart failure, and acute myocardial infarction was conducted. This date is dated from July 2005 to June 2008.

The comparison statistics were sourced from the Department of Health and Human Services in the US. These statistics were released in June 2009 and contained information on RSRR among patients ailing from the three diseases mentioned above. The hospital's comparison data was rich in care performance sourced from patients suffering from heart failure, pneumonia, and acute myocardial infarction (Boulding,2011). The three years of statistics were amalgamated to find a three-year average for the three ailments within each sickbay. The data also contained information on the readmission rate that evaluates the excellence of care offered by each hospital.

Secondly, the research sourced statistics from the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) study conducted between July 2007 and June 2008. Patients from 18 years old and having admitted for at least one night were questioned. The research was also cantered on patients admitted for surgical and medical care initiated between 2-42 days after discharge (Boulding,2011). Adjustments were made to account for factors that could jeopardize response from patients.

Population, Sample, and Participants

During the research process, 4469 medical facilities were identified and reported RSRR. The 6333 hospitals were recognized from American Hospital Association records. A total of 4488 medical facilities provided data on clinical performance procedures, while 3746 provided data based on HCAHPS studies. For a given disease (pneumonia, acute myocardial infarction, and heart failure), the researchers used medical facilities as the unit of investigation (Boulding,2011). Hospitals with comprehensive data of patient satisfaction, rate of patient's readmission, measures of performance, and structural features from the American Hospital Association records. A sample that resulted from this process had 2562 medical facilities for pneumonia cases,1798 facilities for acute myocardial infarction, and the ones for heart failure were 2561 hospitals. A total of 430,982 patients with acute myocardial infarction provided information on clinical performance, giving an average of 240 patients per medical facility (Boulding,2011). There were 912,522 patients with pneumonia, presenting a proportion of 356 patients per hospital. Finally, patients suffering from heart failure were 1,029,578 giving an average of 402 patients per each medical facility used during the research.

Summary

The research was conducted to help in understanding the underlying cause leading to an increased rate of hospital readmission. Also, the study was to determine whether there is any correlation amid hospital readmission rate in a month and the satisfaction of patients with inpatients care (Boulding,2011). The Methods used in the study was observational analysis and multivariate regression analysis. This method was used in the study because there were more than one dependent and independent variables. With this method, the linear connection amongst patient gratification and frequency of readmission was established.

The study found that hospitals with a higher score in proper discharge planning and patient satisfaction had a lower readmission rate within 30 days (Boulding,2011). This was in samples from 1798 medical facilities for acute myocardial infarction to 2562 facilities with pneumonia cases. The communication between nurses and patients when offering inpatient services and during the discharge process was found to correlate strongly with patient satisfaction. The overall patient's happiness was not enhanced by conditions in the medical facility but by service delivery and interaction with the medical practitioners.

Quite a number, several Medicare beneficiaries experienced unexpected readmission in the hospital within 30 days after discharge (Boulding,2011). To improve the delivery of services in hospitals, doctors and nurses should ensure that services are patient-centered. Patient-centered information is ideal for assessing great health results. Also, the use of data reported by patients should be used to accompaniment the commonly used clinical procedures when evaluating the quality of care given to patients in a particular medical facility. It is consistent with previous studies that virtuous communication is directly correlated with more patient's satisfaction.

Additionally, overall patient satisfaction was the best forecast by the sick's perception of the responsiveness and skills of medical practitioners. Also, it was noted that patients could distinguish between the medical and aesthetic aspects of Medicare. This means that patient's contentment can't be achieved by making them happy, for example, by decorating the facilities or giving them food (Boulding,2011). Happiness is achievable through improving quality relations and communication from medical personnel.

There is a statistical association between the readmission rate in hospitals and patient satisfaction during inpatient care. Patients with a higher satisfaction rate are discharged with accurate information on what to expect in the course home-based care. Such patients follow drug prescription according to it was communicated well by nurses and doctors how to take them. Finally, Medical practitioners should understand patient satisfaction is a significant characteristic of health care since it translates to quality and success.

References

Boulding, W., Glickman, S. W., Manary, M. P., Schulman, K. A., & Staelin, R. (2011). Relationship between patient satisfaction with inpatient care and hospital readmission within 30 days. The American journal of managed care, 17(1), 41.