Reduction of 30-Day Preventable Pediatric Readmission Rates With Postdischarge Phone Calls Utilizing a Patient- and Family-Centered Care Approach

Abstract

IntroductionThe purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of postdischarge phone calls on 30-day preventable readmission rates within the pediatric hospital setting. Because the unit of care identified was patients and their families, a patient- and family-centered care approach was used. MethodThe project used an exploratory design and was conducted at a 154-bed pediatric hospital facility. A sample of 15 patients meeting project inclusion criteria was selected before and after the intervention, and medical records were reviewed to identify if a 30-day preventable readmission had occurred. ResultsMedical record review revealed four preintervention readmissions, providing an overall preintervention readmission rate of 26%. Only one readmission was discovered after the intervention, yielding an overall postintervention readmission rate of 6%. DiscussionThe sample size was not large enough to show statistical significance, but clinical significance was seen, with readmission rates for the project target population decreasing below the rates recorded in 2012.