Aetna, Genesis HealthCare Take Aim at Preventing Hospital Readmissions
August 10 2011 - 10:36AM
Business Wire
Aetna (NYSE: AET) and Genesis HealthCare, a leading provider of
post-acute nursing and rehabilitation services, have launched a
series of process and care improvements designed to help patients
recover more easily and avoid health issues that often send them
back to the hospital.
Given the serious health issues faced by recently
hospitalized patients who move to post-acute care facilities,
some readmissions can’t be avoided. Still, Aetna and
Genesis HealthCare believe there is room for improvement and
have developed a new quality program. This program is expected
to decrease the number of patient readmissions from their
facilities by as much as 10 to 20 percent over the next
several years. Avoiding these readmissions will prevent almost
$2 million in additional medical costs annually.
"Aetna and Genesis HealthCare are like-minded in our commitment
to helping people receive high quality care,” says Carl King, head
of Aetna National Networks and Contracting Services. “We took an
honest look at the challenges patients face during recovery from a
major procedure or condition such as hip or knee replacement or
congestive heart failure. We have found real ways to improve care
so that patients can avoid additional hospital care.”
Patients, of course, will benefit the most from the program when
they are able to avoid another hospital stay and recover more
quickly. Aetna’s plan sponsor customers will also benefit from the
expected reduction in medical costs. Genesis HealthCare is
dedicating employee time and resources to this enhanced approach to
patient safety and quality care. In return, Genesis HealthCare is
eligible for rewards based on achieving targeted
measures of improved outcomes.
Small steps make big impact on patient’s health and
recovery
Aetna and Genesis HealthCare took a close look at the most
common causes of hospital readmission, such as infections. Clinical
experts from both organizations worked together to develop a list
of relatively simple steps that could be quickly implemented to
prevent the causes.
Genesis HealthCare has enhanced their staffing, clinical care
procedures and patient support. For example, Aetna’s patients who
are referred to Genesis HealthCare’s post-acute care facilities
will have primary care services available from Genesis-based
doctors or nurse practitioners if needed. Patients do not have to
depend on their own primary care providers to stop by, instead the
facility providers can deliver or coordinate needed care for
complications that often lead to readmissions. Patients also have
increased access to rehabilitation services, including in many
facilities, specializations in orthopedic, cardiac, pulmonary and
transitional care. More frequent therapy has been shown in practice
to help speed recovery and speed transition to home, especially for
orthopedic and cardiac patients.
The patient’s first few days at home are also critical. To help
patients successfully make the transition, Aetna and Genesis
HealthCare clinical care teams developed an expanded discharge
planning and education program for patients and their families. The
new procedures ensure greater coordination and follow up between
patients and their doctors. Patients, their families and their
doctors have a better understanding of when discharge will occur,
what to expect and how to get needed services. The teams ensure
treatment plans are being followed and quickly engage the patient
for further support.
“Our goal is to recognize and enhance the coordination of care
before, during and after a post-acute rehabilitation stay," said
Paul Bach, Genesis HealthCare’s Central Area president. “Ensuring
each patient has a designated primary care physician and a
scheduled follow up appointment before leaving the facility, for
example, will result in better long-term outcomes. Steps such as
these, however, are often the most difficult for patients to
accomplish. With a little help, we are making the transition easier
for patients.”
The new quality program procedures were implemented at the
majority of the Genesis HealthCare post-acute care facilities this
spring.
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care
benefits companies, serving approximately 36.5 million people with
information and resources to help them make better informed
decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of
traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance
products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental,
behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical
management capabilities and health care management services for
Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals,
college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans,
governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and
expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.
About Genesis HealthCare
Genesis HealthCare operates more than 200 post-acute care
centers and assisted living residences in 13 states. They also
supply contract rehabilitation therapy to more than 1,100
healthcare providers in 28 states and the District of Columbia. For
more information, information, go to www.genesishcc.com.
Aetna (NYSE:AET)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2024 to Jun 2024
Aetna (NYSE:AET)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2023 to Jun 2024