A major push is under way around the country to cut rehospitalizations, in part by arming patients with simple steps to keep their recovery on track, such as getting past harried receptionists for quicker follow-up doctor visits and reducing medication confusion. Less than a year into a Medicare-sponsored "Care Transitions" project in 14 states, participating hospitals already are seeing readmissions start to inch down, says Barry Straube, MD, chief medical officer of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
