Discharge planning done the right way

Here’s more evidence that it saves resources in the long run.

What makes it work?

Intervention: Arrange the patient’s follow up appointments. Call 2 and 4 days later to make sure the plan is being carried out.

Usual care: Instruct the patients on their follow up needs, leave it to them to make the arrangements, and turn ‘em loose.

Usual care is the CYA approach which may satisfy institutional risk management needs but it’s ineffective, as studies like this prove.