Predischarge Provider Visits as a Method of Improving Transitional Care Clinic Visit Rates

Tess C. James, Transition Services, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina (Dr James); Advancing Chronic Care Outcome Through Research and Innovation (ACORN) Center, College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia (Dr Corbett); MSN Nursing Administration Program, College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia (Dr Jones); Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute-Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina (Dr Moore-Gibbs); and Atrium Health's Center for Advanced Practice APP Cardiovascular Fellowship, Charlotte, North Carolina (Dr Moore-Gibbs).
Cynthia F. Corbett
Katherine Jones
Ashley Moore-Gibbs

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Transitional care interventions have been associated with reduced 30-day patient readmission, better quality of health care, and lower emergency department visits and health care costs. LOCAL PROBLEM: Transition Services at a major quaternary care center was underutilized by patients who were referred to the program. METHODS: A pre-/postimplementation evaluation design was used to evaluate a quality improvement intervention. INTERVENTION: A face-to-face meeting between eligible patients and a Transition Services provider prior to patients being discharged from the hospital was evaluated as a process improvement intervention. The primary outcome was initial appointment attendance at the Transition Services clinic following hospital discharge. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (P = .59) in patients' initial appointment attendance at Transition Services between the preintervention (48.1%) and intervention phases (54.8%). CONCLUSION: Provider engagement during hospitalization did not increase initial appointment attendance at Transition Services. Other strategies to improve Transition Services attendance rates are needed.