Hospitalist Communication: Risks and Strategies
“Ineffective care transition processes lead to: Adverse outcomes for patients, including medication errors, clinical progression of illness, lack of post-discharge follow up and avoidable emergency department visits; Decreased patient and staff satisfaction; Inappropriate use of resources; and, Financial penalties through reduction in reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and other insurers.” The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Case Study A 43-year-old married father of three was taken via ambulance to the ED with sudden onset of mid-sternal chest pain as well as numbness and pain radiating to his left arm. History obtained by paramedics included shortness of breath,...
Read More » Filed under: Communication, Hospitalist, The Exchange, The Exchange - Issue 2