tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post4651288860226479087..comments2024-03-29T05:39:11.334-04:00Comments on Not Running a Hospital: Can't get them to (re-)admit a mistakePaul Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-59204845609546851962012-10-04T16:29:41.949-04:002012-10-04T16:29:41.949-04:00I'm glad to see that the MHA, like most other ...I'm glad to see that the MHA, like most other health care organizations, is working diligently to reduce readmissions. It's only recently that most systems have recognized that a large proportion of readmissions reflect flaws in the coordination and communication processes that surround hospitalization. And why is it that these organizations care about readmissions? Because CMS focused their attention! No doubt that hospitals do not control all aspects that affect the readmission process, but that does not free them of the responsibility for addressing the problem. As the recipients of the largest share of federal health care dollars it stands to reason that they would be identified as targets for both fines (in this case) and benefits (in the case of the HITECH act). <br />As a long term member (40+ years) of the health care community, I take my hat off to CMS for finally addressing quality issues that should have been worked on long ago. <br />Claims of "it's not my responsibility" work only for so long in resisting needed changes.Keith M, MDnoreply@blogger.com