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Missed Opportunities in Preventing Hospital Readmissions: Redesigning Post‐Discharge Checkup Policies

Author

Listed:
  • Xiang Liu
  • Michael Hu
  • Jonathan E. Helm
  • Mariel S. Lavieri
  • Ted A. Skolarus

Abstract

Hospital readmissions affect hundreds of thousands of patients every year, negatively impacting patients and placing a tremendous burden on the national healthcare system. Post‐discharge checkup policies can reduce readmissions through early detection of health conditions, however, the methods behind designing effective checkup policies are poorly understood. Under current practice, up to 67% of readmitted patients return to the hospital before their first scheduled office visit. This work aims to develop effective checkup plans to monitor patients following hospital discharge, using a variety of checkup methods, including phone calls and office visits. We develop and analyze a new delay‐time analysis model to identify the optimal type and timing of checkups to implement post‐discharge monitoring plans. By analyzing the structure of optimal policies, we develop checkup schedules that can detect up to 43.7% more readmission‐causing conditions experienced by readmission‐bound patients. Further, we uncover simple rules of thumb that can help doctors design and improve monitoring plans even in the absence of advanced computer software or complex computations.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiang Liu & Michael Hu & Jonathan E. Helm & Mariel S. Lavieri & Ted A. Skolarus, 2018. "Missed Opportunities in Preventing Hospital Readmissions: Redesigning Post‐Discharge Checkup Policies," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 27(12), pages 2226-2250, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:popmgt:v:27:y:2018:i:12:p:2226-2250
    DOI: 10.1111/poms.12858
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Onder, O. & Cook, W. & Kristal, M., 2022. "Does quality help the financial viability of hospitals? A data envelopment analysis approach," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    2. Zhao, Heng & Liu, Zixian & Li, Mei & Liang, Lijun, 2022. "Optimal monitoring policies for chronic diseases under healthcare warranty," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    3. Tinglong Dai & Kelly Gleason & Chao‐Wei Hwang & Patricia Davidson, 2021. "Heart analytics: Analytical modeling of cardiovascular care," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 68(1), pages 30-43, February.
    4. Cho, David D. & Stauffer, Jon M., 2022. "Tele-medicine question response service: Analysis of benefits and costs," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    5. Sun, Huan & Wang, Haiyan & Steffensen, Sonja, 2022. "Mechanism design of multi-strategy health insurance plans under asymmetric information," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    6. Ni Huang & Zhijun Yan & Haonan Yin, 2021. "Effects of Online–Offline Service Integration on e‐Healthcare Providers: A Quasi‐Natural Experiment," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(8), pages 2359-2378, August.
    7. Xiao Yu & Armagan Bayram, 2021. "Managing capacity for virtual and office appointments in chronic care," Health Care Management Science, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 742-767, December.
    8. Liangfei Qiu & Subodha Kumar & Arun Sen & Atish P. Sinha, 2022. "Impact of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program on hospital readmission and mortality: An economic analysis," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(5), pages 2341-2360, May.
    9. Chauhan, Ankur & Jakhar, Suresh Kumar & Jabbour, Charbel Jose Chiappetta, 2022. "Implications for sustainable healthcare operations in embracing telemedicine services during a pandemic," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).

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