Reducing 30-day readmissions: health literacy strategies

J Nurs Adm. 2013 Jul-Aug;43(7-8):382-7. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0b013e31829d6082.

Abstract

The imperatives of the Affordable Care Act to reduce 30-day readmissions present challenges and opportunities for nurse administrators. The literature suggests success in reducing readmissions through enhancing patient-centered discharge processes, focusing on medication reconciliation, improving coordination with community-based providers, and effective patient self-management of their disease and treatment. Evidence-based interventions addressing low health literacy, when used with all patients, hold promise to promote understanding and self-management. Strategies addressing low health literacy aimed at reducing 30-day readmissions are identified and discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. / economics
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Community Health Services
  • Continuity of Patient Care*
  • Health Literacy*
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Interinstitutional Relations
  • Medication Reconciliation
  • Patient Discharge / economics
  • Patient Discharge / standards*
  • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
  • Patient Readmission / economics
  • Patient Readmission / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Patient-Centered Care / standards*
  • Patient-Centered Care / trends
  • United States