Impact of a geriatric resource team to reduce 30-day readmissions

Title : Impact of a geriatric resource team to reduce 30-day readmissions

Abstract:

Dementia has an astounding effect on the geriatric population as a leading debilitating disease. Cognitive impairment is linked to high readmission rates and extreme cost of care. The global cost of dementia care is $467 million times higher than normal care. Nationally, the 39% readmission rate impacts healthcare organizations in their mission to improve overall costs. As the over-65-year-old population is most affected by the disease’s magnitude, the impact of a specialized team of clinicians can greatly benefit a variety of healthcare settings. With the rising number of cognitively impaired patients in global, national, state, and local statistics, the home care setting is tasked with positively improving both the home management and education of the patient and caregiver living with dementia.  Through improved intraprofessional care, the implications of decreased readmission rates, improved disease management, and reduced cost of care can benefit organizations.  The Geriatric Resource Team, consisting of specially trained nurses, physical, speech, and occupational therapists, medical social workers, nurse practitioners, and dieticians, can profoundly improve the home management and timeliness of care required. This collaboration of care can be utilized in home health and palliative care settings to improve patient satisfaction as well as caregiver education in the provision of care. Through this improvement, the team can increase patient outcomes and satisfaction in improving their quality of life and maintaining their home environment.

Audience Take Away:

• This presentation will discuss how a Geriatric Resource Team can be implemented in the Home Care setting
• The information presented will provide information on how the multidisciplinary approach can impact dementia care management in the home setting
• This improvement process initiative can provide a practical solution to in-home dementia care to improve patient outcomes
• The design of consultation and communication among team members can demonstrate how to improve the clinician's job role

Biography:

Ms. Hinterstein studied nursing at the Bryn Mawr School of Nursing, graduating in 1988. She returned for her BSN to Immaculata University, graduating in 2001 with honors as a member of Sigma Theta Tau. She then attended Benedictine University, graduating in 2020 with her MSN in nursing education. After becoming a Clinical Nurse Educator, her passion for education expanded, leading Ms. Hinterstein to her DNP in Nursing Education which she obtained in June 2024. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau after achieving honors through her DNP program. Ms. Hinterstein is passionate about teaching nurses through her Clinical Nurse Educator role and has been instrumental in building the orientation program for onboarding new nurses and a nurse residency program specific to the home care setting. She looks forward to joining other esteemed colleagues in the academic setting to continue sharing her love of education and partnering with nursing students.