PATH ALONG Reducing Hospital Readmissions

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model as a system embraces a variety of means to help reduce hospital readmission rates. 

1. Facilitates collaboration among the gamut of health care providers.

2. Links discipline specific care across varied settings to assure ongoing focus on recovery.

3. Maintains attention to the recovery process beyond the hospital walls.

4. Informs community skilled care delivery over the extended time of a recovery.

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model is a design capable of supporting an inpatient discharge through an extensive recovery process in a rural Wisconsin landscape.   Assistance that combines patient preference with community support able to intervene and meet the defined needs as listed in the plan of care.
You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

PATH ALONG Steers Inpatient Information Flow

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model renders a service that lessens the diameter of the flow of information being communicated during the hospital stay.  The PATH ALONG model provides a structure to the care transitions holding the varied disciplines to an organized format.  From this collaborative delivery is constructed a comprehensive plan for supporting a readmission free recovery.
 

The hospital staff's investment involves collaboration and cooperation.  This approach fits nicely in a variety of care delivery settings.   Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps inpatient staff to visualize
a larger portion of the total picture.  This refines input to improve the shared focus of supporting a safe process of recovery.  Discharge plans are truly patient centered.



This brings a familiar order to the information communicated with each defined transition of care.  The patient and family can sense meaningful progress as each day of the hospital stay unfolds.
Suddenly less (a productive focus) is more (help after discharge). 


This improves the quality of the hospital stay and carries the family and patient through the thought construct capable of keeping the consumer engaged with the community phase.  Each care transition forms the community path the patient will take to recover.


Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model employs an App which you are invited to download for free, and coaching sheets to help deliver this beneficial process.

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s   down load your free App today!

AHA dislikes time and effort with CMS survey process

On January 25, 2013 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) proposed individual patient experience surveys for hospital outpatient surgical departments (HOSD) and ambulatory surgical centers (ASC).  The American Hospital Association (AHA) has responded with resistance to the 2 separate surveys.

These are surveys mailed to the patient's residence for filling out and submitting on their perception of the care received.    Part of the resistance is the cost of supplies needed to perform a consistent collection of information.  Materials cost money.

The main concern is staff contribution to the process.  In order to receive an accurate survey, staff would need to educate each individual patient on the purpose and process for the survey.  There is a labor investment in assuring patients understand how the survey connects to the care. This includes staff available for follow up, as patients with sedation may not recall the treatment visit.  

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) as the primary payer are required to demonstrate evidence of review of data that supports the beneficiary is receiving a standard quality of service.  Home Care Path and Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model encourages seniors to watch this issue as it unfolds.

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with the outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path a community based organization committed to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.  You are cordially invited to down load your free PATH ALONG app today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Health Insurance Shift From Private To Public

One aspect of evaluating change in the hospital system is utilization according to the pay source.  The health care system looks at trends in payers as a way to determine service sustainability.   As the nation ages the hospital system is having more stays paid through Medicare a public fund.

HHS Agency for Health Care Quality and Research report Medicare (public funding) was the primary pay source for 14.5 million hospital stays in 2010 and this represents a 12% increase since 1997. 

Private health insurance (private funding) was the primary pay source for 12.5 million hospital stays in 2010 and this represents a 7% decrease since 1997. 


Although the shift from private insurance payment to public insurance payment has been expected, the changes may seem abrupt.  Medicare recognizing the ever increasing claims on their collected and stored money has developed policy that helps reduce out flow and maintain some risk reserve.

Medicare policy is encouraging Medicare certified providers to perform their medical treatment and bill at the appropriate level of care.   This will contribute to an increase in hospital outpatient and clinic procedures aimed at reducing over night hospital stays.  

What this means to the consumer is a person must be severely ill to be admitted to a hospital over night.  The length of time an individual stays in the hospital will be shorter.  A long hospitalization consists of about a 3 night stay.

Hospital providers will be dependent upon supportive care (www.homecarepath.com) agencies capable of assisting the person in the home.  Seniors presenting at the emergency room with symptoms of an illness may not demonstrate the diagnostic level needed for an inpatient stay.  Although unable to be alone, the ill senior is not sick enough to be eligible for a hospital stay.  Responsible health care providers will refer the senior to a supportive care agency that can maintain close contact with the medical staff.

Individuals discharged from the hospital will need help during recovery.  Both hospital providers and insurance payers now agree that 30 days post hospitalization is a time every person needs extra support.  Communities are being challenged to understand how managing discharged seniors to home will look.  Fiscal responsibility calls for skilled community care providers to collaborate with supportive care providers as a way to demonstrate appropriate level of delivery with each defined transition of care.

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with the outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path a community based organization committed to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.  You are cordially invited to down load your free PATH ALONG app today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Functional Fitness Kundalini Yoga Older Adults

One way to reduce your falls risk, improve balance, strength, and mobility is to participate in Kundalini Yoga.  This is an ancient practice of yoga presented in the States by Yogi Bhajan in the late 1960's.

Kundalini is available energy (prana) stored at the bottom of the spine that can be lifted up through the body engaging each of the seven chakras.  The chakra is a circular swirling port of energetic exchange.  Improved awareness manifests as the energy moves upward toward the (crown chakra) head. 

Kundalini yoga employs chanting to focus the mind.  Breathing to oxygenate the body.  Poses (Kriya) to provide a familiar structure to the session.  Stretching with improved flexibility.  The practice supports mental and physical strengthening.

Kundalini energy is communicated in the symbol of the snake coiled at the base of the spine.  Seniors find both body and mind experience the therapeutic benefits of participating in Kundalini Yoga. 


Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path  (www.homecarepath.com) a community based organization committed to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.  You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Wisconsins PATH ALONG Match Intervention To Assessed Risk

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model matches an intense intervention when the following factors of risk have been identified. 

1.  The person has a history of a hospital readmission

2. The person has a chronic disease process (COPD, Diabetes, CHF) and a functional physical change

3. The person has a chronic disease process (COPD, Diabetes, CHF) and a cognitive change

By applying the above assessments to the coordination of transitions of care process, hospital staff can be certain to provide the person with adequate assistance.  A rapid connection with a supportive care (www.homecarepath.com) agency can allow patients to go home while maintaining close communication with the medical provider.   This can help emergency departments reduce the use of outpatient observational over night hospital stays.

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path a community based organization committed to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.  You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

At Hospital Are You Inpatient or Outpatient

You went to your primary provider at the community clinic and the triage nurse sent you directly to the hospital emergency room for evaluation.  In today's hospital you can even stay over night and still be classified outpatient. 

Observational status is hospital outpatient services given to help the ER Doctor decide if the patient needs to be admitted as an inpatient or can be discharged.  Observational care can be provided in the emergency department or another area of the hospital setting.

You are an outpatient if you are getting emergency department services, observational services, outpatient surgery, lab tests, or Xrays, and the Doctor has not written an order to admit you to the hospital as an inpatient. 

You are an inpatient when you are formally admitted to the hospital with a doctor writing the order.  So, even if you stay over night, the doctor must have written orders declaring you an inpatient to qualify for insurance to reimburse the hospital at the inpatient rate.

Some health insurance plans will accommodate up to a 48 hour observational stay in the hospital setting.  The 24 hour reimbursed rate could not exceed the daily semi private room rate which in a rural Wisconsin hospital is about 1600.00. 

Individuals who do not have the severity of medical symptoms to result in an inpatient hospital stay are often discharged to home with a supportive (www.homecarepath.com) care service.  The supportive care service can assist the person with meals, bathing, dressing, scheduled toileting, laundry, medication reminders, tracking appointments, and keeping close contact should symptoms worsen.

Home Care Path is a leading senior care provider serving south central Wisconsin.  2013 rates are 20.00 per hour.  Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview.  Email lkutzke@homecarepath.onmicrosoft.com  Services can be tax deductible.  We accept long term care insurance.  We can be there when you are working.  Valuing home and human life. 

Home to the Wisconsin PATH ALONG Model.  You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today, take it with you to the hospital to prevent a re-hospitalization

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Hospitals Struggle With Medicare Billing

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner announced a new Medicare ruling as response to wrong care setting disputes.  A patient is admitted to a hospital per medical doctor assessment.  During the inpatient stay hospital (UR) utilization review determines the treatment is appropriate and should be billed inpatient.  The patient is released and goes home with supportive care (www.homecarepath.com ) to recover.

After the hospital stay has been documented, billed, and reimbursed Medicare will conduct an audit.  Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC's) are private hires who perform the reviews that can result in a denial of payment.  So, the money Medicare reimbursed the hospital for the inpatient treatment delivered under Medicare Part A, must be sent back to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.  CMS was refusing to pay hospitals for services being identified on audit as covered under Medicare Part B.

In November 2012 The (AHA) American Hospital Association and 3 Medical Centers filed litigation against (HHS) Health and Human Services over a mandate that denies Medicare payment to hospitals when utilization review retroactively (post treatment delivery) determines the care could have been provided in an outpatient setting. 

This new rule authorizes acting judges of Medicare wrong care setting cases to allow hospitals to claim Part B inpatient costs in presented hospitalizations  where the setting of care has been deemed incorrect.  This includes separate billing of  Medicare Part B outpatient services that may have been bundled in to Part A with the first claim process.

The two variables associated with the new Medicare ruling involve time limits and process adjustments.  Typically submission for a Medicare Part B claim cannot exceed the 12 months post service.   How will the process that returns privately paid percentages collected at the higher inpatient service rates to individuals served by the hospital look.  The consumers cost share should drop dramatically with the lower level of care resulting in many patients receiving money as a refund.

Home Care Path encourages viewers to watch this health care issue closely as it unfolds.  Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com a community based organization  committed to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.  You are cordially invited to down load your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Hospital Readmissions Buzz Words Scheduled Presence

The expected buzz words of the community wide initiative to reduce hospital readmissions is scheduled presence.  Hospital discharge planners can clearly explain some patients are too ill to send home alone, but not sick enough for a hospital stay.   An aging population, with a geographically dispersed family, and multiple medical diagnosis can mean an increased risk for a rehospitalization.

With less on site staff being employed to effectively coordinate an individual's need for care some families will require a service that delivers support through a scheduled presence.  Seniors too ill to be sent home alone, but not manifesting symptoms severe enough to indicate a hospital stay can benefit from the service the Wisconsin PATH ALONG model performs.

The Wisconsin PATH ALONG model has staff who accompany the senior through the inpatient process.  This scheduled presence can give families a better understanding of the expectations of the varied inpatient departments caring for the senior.   The model includes strategies to improve the quality of the inpatient stay with each defined transition.

Post hospitalized patients find the scheduled presence of PATH ALONG staff facilitates a safer recovery .  This assures the involved medical providers are rapidly informed of changes in condition. The PATH ALONG model secures the link between inpatient to outpatient medical service delivery.   This is an advanced form of supportive care evolving to best meet the changing needs of an aging population. 

You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model is a strong arm of Home Care Path (www.homecarepath.com) a leading senior care provider serving south central Wisconsin.    Reach us at 608-432-4286 or email lkutzke@homecarepath.onmicrosoft.com

 

Is Secret To Reducing Hospital Readmissions In The Data

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have put hospitals on the course to reduce readmissions.  Surgical departments have been reviewing collected information to determine if valuable readmission reduction secrets can be spotted.

The surgical department would look at a period of time where patient's who received surgery, spent time on the med surg floor, went home and then readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge.  What aspect of this process can be examined and adjusted to enhance recovery and reduce the need for rehospitalization.

The surgical department combed through 4 modes of  inpatient information collection  and recording.

1. Surgical patients chart (documents procedure and immediate post op)

2. Medical records information (documents med surg floor stay and discharge)

3. ACS NSQIP (American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program) facilitates hospital to hospital comparison of standard information

5. CMS mandated business office reports (documents readmission frequency and billing)

The surgical department was looking for patient specifics that could translate to the reason for a readmission.  The current strategy is comparing the surgical diagnosis with the diagnosis stored in the medical records information and the diagnosis listed with the ACS NSQIP.  Are the diagnosis similar in all three storage sources, and how do they align with the readmission diagnosis. 

This provides the surgical department an opportunity to form space (collect more patient data) to record additional assessment information that can communicate a more granular value to the readmission specifics.   Simply when reviewing across similar surgical procedures for similar diagnosis with elevated readmission rates where is the variation.  What modification can enhance the quality of the process and reduce the need for rehospitalization. 

Expect the surgical departments of hospitals to continue to adjust their care delivery process after a period of comprehensive data review and some sharing of significant findings.   This is an ongoing way for evidence based data discoveries to modify delivery and reduce the need for rehospitalization. 

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with outpatient treatment visits. PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path  www.homecarepath.com a community based organization commited to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population. You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Payers Want Services Out Of Hospital

Health plan payers are looking to have medical services performed out side of the hospital setting.  Public (Medicare and Medicaid) and private health insurance plans encourage doctors to treat patients in the lowest cost, clinically appropriate setting. 

Payment policy will reflect reimbursement rates based on the resources needed.  This is equalizing reimbursement rates for similar care services across locations.

In the past Physicians established provider based clinics within the hospital walls and delivered services coded as outpatient.  Moving the service delivery from the stand alone Doctors office to rental space within the hospital setting resulted in an increase of up to 90% more. 

Public and private payers have recommended policy that would result in an equal reimbursement for a similar service regardless of it being performed in the stand alone Doctors office or in the outpatient hospital space.  Equalizing payments across settings is expected to move more service through the private standing Doctor's office.

This is health payers informing legislative representatives of safe strategies to reduce health care expenditures.   Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com and Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model encourages seniors to follow this initiative as it unfolds.

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path a community based organization commited to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.  You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

IT Captures Role in Reducing Wisconsin Readmissions

Information technology (IT) has captured a role in reducing readmission rates in Wisconsin Hospitals.  Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model employs a free App that strengthens a patients participation in the discharge planning.

To avoid excessive readmission penalties hospitals are advised to establish inpatient pre-discharge means of managing transitions.  The PATH ALONG model embraces information technology as the significant driver in pre-discharge inpatient coordination of services.

This is a ground breaking new way for patients to better direct their own care.  This is information technology enabling the patient to instill their preferences at the inpatient point of service.  The senior is building their own care plan transition by transtion.

The Wisconsin PATH ALONG model makes this all possible with the assistance of The appsmakerstore, with an App that improves the quality of care being delivered with each transition.   You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Involve Inpatient Staff & Common Structure To Reduce Readmissions

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG App provides seniors with a common structure to foster relationships capable of producing a readmission free recovery.  This common structure communicates on an inpatient level to enhance the value to the messages being received by hospital staff.

Collected data is demonstrating a unified involvement of the inpatient staff and the senior can produce satisfied patients, stable investment, and a shared perception of improved quality.  The dynamic component listed with each transition defines the focus of the shared relationship between the senior and the inpatient provider.  This clears the path for a beneficial interaction that includes personal preference which delivers a measure of care assurance.

Inherent in the common structure is a glimpse of the care to be delivered within the community upon discharge.  This forges a common path both inpatient provider and the senior can use to slowly move toward establishing services (www.homecarepath.com) capable of supporting a readmission free recovery.

You are cordially invited to down load your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

The PATH ALONG App delivers an adaptive application of condensed information designed to reduce hospital readmission rates.   Seniors can take the App right along with a hospital stay to help prevent the need for a rehospitalization.
608-432-4286               lkutzke@homecarepath.onmicrosoft.com

PATH ALONG Cardiac Tools Predict Readmission Risk

PATH ALONG reminds readers to be aware of the development of cardiac tools that can be used in the hospital setting to predict the risk for a readmission.  Add on programs that utilize technology to draw pertinent statistics of cardiac diagnostics and formulate a numerical value of risk for a readmission within 30 days of discharge.

The risk which is demonstrated as a number will be listed in the electronic medical record of the indivdual.  Hospitalists can then use the number as evidence for the patients need for additional supportive service upon discharge.   This is an evidence based method for inpatient providers to scientifically support their assessments that indicate the patient will require additional help when exiting the hospital.

Once the risk for a readmission has been validated through the cardiac tool, the challenge is to coordinate support that can best fit the need.  Adequate in home help involves medical skilled visits and non-medical supportive (www.homecarepath.com)  staff who can deliver consistent care through a recovery.

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path a community based organization commited to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.  You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

PATH ALONG Tighter Digital Unity

PATH ALONG has noted the evolution of the health care system of delivery involves tighter digital unity.  Clinics, Hospitals, and Nursing Homes core service is the provision of medical treatment and the documentation of information.  The collecting, recording, and storing of the information creates the primary resource called digital data.

Technological organizations under the electronic health records guideline are expanding interconnectedness.  Global technological organizations develop and maintain this system (infrastructure) of currency that converts collected information in to a usable commodity.

The technological organization that retains operational control over the movement of this resource carries a measure of influence.  The influence transfers the digital data to a wealth producing object through the ongoing medium of exchange.

This supports a climate of competition as groups of medical providers agree to contract with varied electronic health record servers.  The technological organization delivering the electronic health record service forms an alliance with clinics, hospitals and nursing homes to perform joint business activity.

These large networks formed by coalitions of the willing can expand beyond State and National boundaries.  Remember the primary resource of digital data does not require a VISA or passport to cross a border.  So we are seeing local health care providers becoming a part of these larger technological communication servers who are seeking to exert control over the new hot resource on the planet which is digital data.

This requires PATH ALONG staff to communicate with health care providers who are experiencing changes with the tightening of digital data.  PATH ALONG staff work with individuals who are challenged to mediate conflict, build alliance, and intervene by supporting the person during these technological system wide changes.

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with ongoing outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path a community based organization commited to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.  You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Commonwell Health Alliance HIMSS13

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model senses the number one resource on the planet today is digital information data.  The collection, storage and sharing of information is the primary business of today's global markets. 

HIMSS is a global organization (52 years old) focused on information technology to improve health care.  HIMSS has offices in Chicago, and around the globe.  HIMSS hosted an annual gathering (HIMSS13) held in Ernest N. Nimorial Convention Center New Orleans from March 3, 2013 to March 7, 2013.

Part of the HIMSS 13 gathering involved the announcement of the Commonwell Health Alliance.  Six large service providers have contracted to share a common electronic health record system.  The Commonwell Health Alliance  has been formed by McKesson, Cerner, Greenway, Allscripts, Athenahealth, and Relayhealth  to accelerate the flow of collected and stored information and improve utilization in the health care delivery setting.

The Commonwell Alliance will exchange health information observing developed industry standards across the network of participating medical care organizations.  Hospitals, clinics, and health plans connected to the network can easily access and share information. 

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps individuals with transitions of care.  Registration is a primary inpatient transition.
Hospital registration     (transition)     Clinic registration
Dynamic component- valid medical pay sources, formulary constraints
Rationale: Knowledge of payment informs choice and helps prevent rehospitalization.

In the PATH ALONG model patients are reminded that electronic health record  systems that support one hospital can be different from another hospital.  Electronic health record systems that support one clinic location can be different from another clinic setting.  An individual's means to pay for the health care can change between visits. 

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model takes an advanced approach to supporting seniors during inpatient and outpatient provision of care through the medical system.  PATH ALONG supports seniors in south central Wisconsin.  Call 608-432-4286 or email lkutzke@homecarepath.onmicrosoft.com to schedule service.  You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

PATH ALONG return on investment readmissions

CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid)  has enacted policy to encourage Medicare certified providers to participate in strategies to reduce hospital readmissions rates.  Reducing hospital readmission rates is about return on investment.  This is public health planners being good stewards of government health care funding.

Reducing hospital readmission rates demonstrates 2 important outcomes with money invested.

1. Reduction of (waste) excessive care

2. Direct care delivery to lowest cost setting (outpatient)

Reduction of excessive care is often a measurement of time as an inpatient.  Utilization review equates a stay greater than the average time for the listed diagnosis as excessive.  Hospital providers are challenged to employ staff and technology to treat and discharge the patient within the payers listed average.

Direct care delivery to the lowest cost setting means always asking can this persons medical symptoms be effectively treated in a way other than an inpatient stay.  This is moving acuity down the continuum of care.  Simply can the individual be treated at home by the primary care provider with the help of a supportive (www.homecarepath.com) care agency.   Can a series of outpatient procedures be substitute for a hospital stay.

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path a community based organization commited to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.  You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today.

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

PATH ALONG Local Activity To Reduce Readmissions

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model generates local activity that supports the community in the process of reducing hospital readmission rates.  The PATH ALONG model embraces the dynamic component in each care transition to keep the patient and family focused on what is needed to be safe.

The PATH ALONG model includes ongoing patient and family (patient preference) input which enhances existing strategy to help prevent a rehospitalization.  Patients can tell you what they need.  The PATH ALONG model encourages staff to meet the patient at their level of perception to add needed support which will improve recovery.

The detailed information identifying the varied active providers participating in the transitions of care moves the inpatient toward understanding support needed for anticipated needs.  This supports an internal locus of control and results in a more autonomous patient.

As this learned process (PATH ALONG Model) becomes available and more utilized in the hospital setting the entire community begins to experience the benefit.  Reducing unnecessary readmissions improves the quality of the care and saves public money.  You are cordially invited to download your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path a community based organization commited to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.

Call: 608-432-4286
Email:  lkutzke@homecarpeath.onmicrosoft.com

PATH ALONG Includes ADLs

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model is unique with identifying the patients needs related to the activities of daily living during the hospital stay.  Accomodating the individual's needs for the approaching transition includes a referral to a supportive (www.homecarepath.com) care agency. 

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model would involve staff who could assist the person with the (ADL's) activities of daily living as the need presents itself.  ADL's include:

Dressing
Eating
Ambulation
Toileting
Hygeine

Help for these basic needs may be required for a few days, to ongoing for months.  An important part of attending to (discharge process)  the inpatients transition to outpatient release is understanding how these basic needs will be completed daily.

Family and social services are challenged to determine actual need with these (ADL's) very private aspects of an individual's daily life experiences.  The private nature of these tasks can prevent the individual from seeking the help they will need. 

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with outpatient treatment visits.  PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path a community based organization commited to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population.  You are cordially invited to down load your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Sequester Less Money For NIH and Medical Research

The sequester means automatic spending cuts to the (NIH) National Institutes of Health for programs that utilize public money for research and development.   The National Institutes of Health is located 9000 Rockville, Bethesda Maryland 20892 under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The National Institutes of Health is a collaborative medical research agency supporting studies that turn trial results in to health interventions.  NIH manages public money to maintain streams of research to improve the nations access to preventive health resources.

As the availability of public money becomes harder to come by, researchers will be hired for their ability to attract private funding in to the research lab.  This can shift the fiscal control of scientific findings to a market approach that benefits board room producers.  In a global economy this can alter the simple production that has occurred in the university research setting.  Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages viewers to watch this issue as it unfolds.

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG model helps seniors during the hospital stay and with outpatient treatment visits.   PATH ALONG is a strong arm of Home Care Path a community based organization commited to performing a service that supports the changing needs of an aging population. 
You are cordially invited to down load your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s

Medicare Spending Slides Down PATH ALONG

National data released by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation under the United States Department of Health and Human Services indicate spending in the health system is declining. 

Figures indicate spending for services in the health care system have grown by less than 4 percent for the 3rd year in a row.  Medicare numbers show the average investment per beneficiary in 2012 was only increased by 0.4 percent which is down from 1.9 percent.

National readmission rates have declined from 19 percent to about 17.8 percent.  This is a measureable decrease in the number of discharged patients with Medicare as a pay source returning to the hospital for treatment within a 30 day time period.

Health planners attribute the drop in readmissions to community (www.homecarepath.com) providers forging tighter connections to support the individual during outpatient recovery.  Hospital readmission rates can come down when the community collaborates to improve support for the discharged individuals.

Wisconsin's PATH ALONG is an original model designed to reduce hospital readmission rates.  The information on the PATH ALONG App adds predictable structure (PATH ALONG condensed under iFrame key) to a changing flow respecting personal preference and supports an internal locus of control.   The PATH ALONG App delivers information that saves the patient and family from reacting to the varied hospital departments simultaneous operations and keeps the focus on pragmatic aspects present in all favorable outcomes of recovery.

You are cordially invited to down load your free PATH ALONG App today

http://appsmakerstore.com/appim/j6kcdet8xvwk4s