PATH ALONG Model Chance For Hospitals To Do Better

PATH ALONG is an original Wisconsin model that connects inpatient providers to community staff who support the patient during health system transitions.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have enacted policy that reduces reimbursement for a hospital when a patient is readmitted within 30 days.   PATH ALONG is a model created to give the Wisconsin inpatient provider a quality referral source as response to Federal regulations that reduce reimbursement rates for hospital readmissions.

PATH ALONG is a model that defines for the hospitalist how to target high risk patients early.  The pertinent risk factors include:
1. The person has a history of a hospital readmission
2. The person has a chronic disease process (COPD, Diabetes, CHF) and a change in physical function.
3. The person has a chronic disease process (COPD, Diabetes, CHF) and a change in cognitive function.
Identifying one of the above indicates the patient is at risk of a hospital readmission.

PATH ALONG is a model that helps the patient maintain communication with providers in the varied settings.  Staff are trained to track follow up appointments and improve relations with the primary provider and clinic departments.

PATH ALONG is a model that encourages the person to participate in the treatment plan.  Following hospital discharge staff discuss with the patient recommended daily at home changes.  Home visits provide support to help maintain a level of stability.

PATH ALONG is a model that reinforces the instruction delivered by each participating discipline.  The person has support to monitor their wellness progress.  The ongoing discussion reviews the help each participating provider lends to the at home healing process.  This enhances the preventive quality by improving participation in changes at home that seem to require help from outside.

PATH ALONG is a model that utilizes a consistent support person to follow the patient through the hospitalization process.  This added support can help the hospitalist keep their ongoing task of developing electronic records in order. 

PATH ALONG is an evidence based model with three defined services to help the hospitalist fulfill their continuity of care role.  PATH ALONG is a trademarked model owned by Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com a leading senior care provider serving south central Wisconsin.  Check out this site
http://www.homecarepath.com/Pages/PRESSRELEASEOriginalWisconsinModelToReduceHospitalReadmissionRates.aspx