Hospital readmissions are a major concern for both patients and healthcare providers. A readmission can be a sign that something went wrong during the initial hospital stay or after discharge. It can also be a source of stress and anxiety for patients and their families. For healthcare systems, readmissions are a financial burden and can negatively impact quality metrics.

At adherent360, we believe that a major key to preventing readmissions is improving medication adherence. Many readmissions are preventable and are often linked to a patient’s inability to manage their medications correctly after they leave the hospital. When patients don’t take their medications as prescribed, their health conditions can worsen, leading them right back to the hospital.

That’s where the hospital readmissions reduction program comes into play. This program, created by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), penalizes hospitals with higher-than-average readmission rates for specific conditions. The program’s goal is to encourage hospitals to focus on patient care after discharge and to find new ways to help patients stay healthy and out of the hospital.

But what does this all mean for you, the patient, or for you, the healthcare provider? It means we need a new approach. We need to go beyond the traditional discharge plan and find innovative ways to improve medication adherence.

The Problem with Post-Discharge Medication Management

Let’s face it: going home after a hospital stay can be overwhelming. You’re recovering, you have a new set of instructions, and suddenly you’re responsible for a whole new medication regimen. It’s easy to get confused or forget a dose.

Think about these common scenarios:

• Confusing Instructions: You receive a long list of medications with different dosages and timings. The instructions might be handwritten and hard to read, or you might have been told something different by each member of your care team.
• Cost Barriers: The new medications are expensive, and you can’t afford to fill the prescriptions. You might try to stretch out your old supply or just stop taking them altogether.
• Forgetting Doses: Life gets in the way. You get busy with work or family, and you simply forget to take your pills on time.
• Lack of Support: You live alone and don’t have anyone to remind you to take your medication or to help you understand the instructions.

These issues are not a sign of carelessness on the patient’s part. They’re a sign that the current system isn’t providing the right support.

The Adherent360 Difference: A New Way to Tackle Medication Adherence

At adherent360, we’ve built a solution to address these challenges head-on. Our program is designed to create a seamless transition from hospital to home, ensuring patients have the support they need to manage their health effectively and reduce the likelihood of a readmission.

Our approach is built on a few core principles:

1. Personalized Patient Support: We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Our program tailors support to each patient’s individual needs. This can include anything from easy-to-use medication reminders to personalized check-ins from our team. We’re there to answer questions, offer encouragement, and provide that extra layer of accountability.
2. Simplified Medication Regimens: We work with healthcare providers and pharmacists to create a clear, easy-to-follow medication plan. We can help patients understand the purpose of each medication, when to take it, and what side effects to watch for. Our goal is to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
3. Technology as a Tool for Empowerment: Our technology is designed to be user-friendly and accessible. Through our platform, patients can set up automated reminders, track their medication intake, and communicate directly with their care team. It’s a tool that puts the patient in the driver’s seat of their own health.
4. Closing the Communication Loop: We act as a bridge between the patient and their healthcare provider. Our platform provides real-time data on medication adherence, allowing providers to intervene early if they notice a patient is struggling. This proactive approach helps prevent minor issues from becoming major health problems.

How Adherent360 Aligns with the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program

The hospital readmissions reduction program isn’t just about penalties; it’s about inspiring better care. At adherent360, we see it as an opportunity to partner with hospitals and healthcare systems to build a more effective continuum of care.

By partnering with us, hospitals can:

• Reduce Readmission Rates: Our data shows that patients who use our platform have significantly higher medication adherence rates and lower readmission rates.
• Improve Patient Outcomes: When patients take their medications as prescribed, their chronic conditions are better managed, leading to a higher quality of life.
• Enhance Patient Satisfaction: Patients feel more supported and confident in their ability to manage their health, which leads to higher satisfaction scores.
• Strengthen Financial Performance: By reducing readmissions, hospitals can avoid CMS penalties and free up valuable resources.

Ultimately, our goal is to help healthcare systems meet the requirements of the hospital readmissions reduction program by focusing on the one thing that can make the biggest difference: helping patients take their medications.

The Path Forward: Partnering for Better Health

The journey to improving health outcomes and preventing hospital readmissions is a shared one. It requires collaboration between patients, healthcare providers, and innovative companies like adherent360.

We’re not just a technology company; we’re a partner in health. We’re dedicated to helping patients feel empowered and confident in their ability to manage their health at home. We’re committed to providing hospitals with the tools they need to succeed in the era of value-based care.

The problem of hospital readmissions is complex, but the solution starts with a simple step: helping people take their medications. At adherent360, we’re making that step easier every day.

If you’re a healthcare provider or a hospital administrator looking for a better way to tackle readmissions, we invite you to learn more about our program. Let’s work together to create a healthcare system where every patient has the support they need to stay healthy and out of the hospital.

The future of healthcare is a future where readmissions are the exception, not the rule. And at adherent360, we’re proud to be at the forefront of that change.