In February, Peggy Kopp, Quality Improvement Director presented on behalf of Sidney Health Center at the 2017 AHA Rural Health Care Leadership Conference in Phoenix, AZ and on March 23 at the 2017 MHA Health Summit in Helena, MT, sharing our success in reducing hospital readmissions by 63% and improving our discharge planning inpatient survey scores by 59%.

The significant improvement can be attributed to focusing on several improvement processes simultaneously including readmissions, improving communication about discharge plans, ACO work, and implementing best practices in bedside rounding. The project was entitled, “Nothing About Me, Without Me” and involved a team approach including physicians, nursing, pharmacy, social services and administration.

Evidence based methods that are in place at Sidney Health Center, include:

• Bedside Shift Report
• Nurse Leader Rounding
• Follow-Up Calls by the ACO Coordinator
• Scheduling of Timely Follow-Up Appointment with the Primary Care Provider
• Discharge Planning at the Bedside

To learn more about the project, follow the link to view a brief video that highlights the project.