Predictive Analytics, Registries Helping to Reduce Avoidable Emergency Room Visits
A trio of tech tools is bolstering healthcare's efforts to foster more appropriate use of hospital ERs, according to a new 2014 HINtelligence report.
Sea Girt, NJ, September 23, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Open access scheduling, predictive modeling and an emergency department registry or census are the tools most often employed to encourage appropriate ER use, according to the latest Reducing Avoidable ER Visits Survey by the Healthcare Intelligence Network (HIN).
Supporting this health IT use are case managers embedded in the ER, strong primary care connections, and patient education programs, respondents said.
The market research conducted by HIN in August 2014 found that, despite expanded healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the ER remains a refuge for those unable to visit their primary care physician (PCP)—whether due to lack of access, insurance, or time, and that opportunities abound to reduce avoidable ER utilization.
The 2014 survey found that super-utilizers—individuals with complex, unaddressed health issues and a history of frequent encounters with healthcare providers— Medicare beneficiaries, and the dually eligible (Medicare-Medicaid) generate the lion's share of avoidable ER visits.
Telephonic outreach and follow-up is also key in the management of ER use: almost a third—31 percent— contact patients within 24 hours of an ED visit; another 29 percent call within 48 hours. However, almost 15 percent make no follow-up telephonic contact.
More survey metrics are available in the 2014 HINtelligence report, "Reducing Avoidable ER Visits in 2014: Care Access, Primary Care Buy-In Remain Top Challenges," a complimentary downloadable HIN white paper.
Download this white paper on Reducing Avoidable ER Visits in 2014 at http://www.hin.com/library/registerReducingAvoidableERVisits2014.html
News Facts: HIN's white paper, "Reducing Avoidable ER Visits in 2014: Care Access, Primary Care Buy-In Remain Top Challenges," summarizes 2014 responses from 125 hospitals/health systems, health plans, primary care practices and others on their approach to reducing avoidable ER use.
Other data highlights from the survey include the following:
-Reports of avoidable ED visits by dual eligibles increased five-fold in the last three years, from 2 to 11 percent, while utilization by other populations—high utilizers, Medicare and Medicaid—remained roughly the same.
-One third of 2014 respondents—33 percent—identified both predictive modeling and open access scheduling as primary tools for discouraging avoidable ER visits.
-Education and risk-based telephonic outreach are the top two patient-centered strategies used to reduce avoidable ER visits in 2014.
-While behavioral health issues and privacy are two top legal and compliance obstacles to reducing avoidable ER visits, two-thirds of respondents are confident CMS's easing of telemedicine regulations (e.g. mandates for physician on-site hours) will help to reduce avoidable ER visits.
Download this white paper on Reducing Avoidable ER Visits in 2014 at http://www.hin.com/library/registerReducingAvoidableERVisits2014.html
Quote Attributable to Melanie Matthews, HIN Executive VP and COO:
"CMS has adopted super-utilizers as a top healthcare priority, throwing support behind a myriad of initiatives aimed to encourage responsible healthcare utilization by this population. This executive summary provides an excellent snapshot of technology to foster appropriate use of hospital emergency rooms."
Access Melanie Matthews's profile at http://www.hin.com/bios.html#mm
Please contact Patricia Donovan to arrange an interview or to obtain additional quotes.
About the Healthcare Intelligence Network — HIN is the premier advisory service for executives seeking high-quality strategic information on the business of healthcare. For more information, contact the Healthcare Intelligence Network, PO Box 1442, Wall Township, NJ 07719-1442, (888) 446-3530, fax (732) 449-4463, e-mail info@hin.com, or visit http://www.hin.com.
Supporting this health IT use are case managers embedded in the ER, strong primary care connections, and patient education programs, respondents said.
The market research conducted by HIN in August 2014 found that, despite expanded healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the ER remains a refuge for those unable to visit their primary care physician (PCP)—whether due to lack of access, insurance, or time, and that opportunities abound to reduce avoidable ER utilization.
The 2014 survey found that super-utilizers—individuals with complex, unaddressed health issues and a history of frequent encounters with healthcare providers— Medicare beneficiaries, and the dually eligible (Medicare-Medicaid) generate the lion's share of avoidable ER visits.
Telephonic outreach and follow-up is also key in the management of ER use: almost a third—31 percent— contact patients within 24 hours of an ED visit; another 29 percent call within 48 hours. However, almost 15 percent make no follow-up telephonic contact.
More survey metrics are available in the 2014 HINtelligence report, "Reducing Avoidable ER Visits in 2014: Care Access, Primary Care Buy-In Remain Top Challenges," a complimentary downloadable HIN white paper.
Download this white paper on Reducing Avoidable ER Visits in 2014 at http://www.hin.com/library/registerReducingAvoidableERVisits2014.html
News Facts: HIN's white paper, "Reducing Avoidable ER Visits in 2014: Care Access, Primary Care Buy-In Remain Top Challenges," summarizes 2014 responses from 125 hospitals/health systems, health plans, primary care practices and others on their approach to reducing avoidable ER use.
Other data highlights from the survey include the following:
-Reports of avoidable ED visits by dual eligibles increased five-fold in the last three years, from 2 to 11 percent, while utilization by other populations—high utilizers, Medicare and Medicaid—remained roughly the same.
-One third of 2014 respondents—33 percent—identified both predictive modeling and open access scheduling as primary tools for discouraging avoidable ER visits.
-Education and risk-based telephonic outreach are the top two patient-centered strategies used to reduce avoidable ER visits in 2014.
-While behavioral health issues and privacy are two top legal and compliance obstacles to reducing avoidable ER visits, two-thirds of respondents are confident CMS's easing of telemedicine regulations (e.g. mandates for physician on-site hours) will help to reduce avoidable ER visits.
Download this white paper on Reducing Avoidable ER Visits in 2014 at http://www.hin.com/library/registerReducingAvoidableERVisits2014.html
Quote Attributable to Melanie Matthews, HIN Executive VP and COO:
"CMS has adopted super-utilizers as a top healthcare priority, throwing support behind a myriad of initiatives aimed to encourage responsible healthcare utilization by this population. This executive summary provides an excellent snapshot of technology to foster appropriate use of hospital emergency rooms."
Access Melanie Matthews's profile at http://www.hin.com/bios.html#mm
Please contact Patricia Donovan to arrange an interview or to obtain additional quotes.
About the Healthcare Intelligence Network — HIN is the premier advisory service for executives seeking high-quality strategic information on the business of healthcare. For more information, contact the Healthcare Intelligence Network, PO Box 1442, Wall Township, NJ 07719-1442, (888) 446-3530, fax (732) 449-4463, e-mail info@hin.com, or visit http://www.hin.com.
Contact
Healthcare Intelligence Network
Patricia Donovan
732-449-4468
www.hin.com
https://twitter.com/H_I_N
Patricia Donovan
732-449-4468
www.hin.com
https://twitter.com/H_I_N
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