One of the joys of entering a library is the anticipation of finding a new adventure. What exciting crime or historical novel might be there to grab? Some are found by chance, some from friends’ tips.
But the best are often plucked from the just-returned cart. You know, the place where books that other people have checked out go for re-shelving.
These are, almost without fail, a treasure trove of interesting titles. I figure someone has done some research and already found the cream of the crop.
It’s the same feeling I get when I read Top 10-type lists. Recently, we were all inundated with lists of things to look for in 2018, not to mention “best of” 2017 compilations. The national journal Health Affairs, for example, recently noted its most popular articles of last year — deep pieces that interested consumers, researchers, regulators, and many others — not just long-term care providers.
Direct-to-consumer telehealth and doctors’ work time priorities were Nos. 1 and 2 on the 2017 list.
It was No. 10, however, that really caught my eye: “Initiative To Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations Among Nursing Facility Residents Shows Promising Results.”
Avoiding (re)hospitalizations gets more time in the sun.
The readers making this so popular were not just long-term care stakeholders. It was also thousands of people from all walks of life indicating that a nursing home-related issue was one of the most interesting topics of 2017. It was hospitals, doctors, specialists and others needing to know how to find better care partners. It was and is a compass indicating an enduring story line.
Hospitals — and more recently, nursing homes — can be penalized large sums of money if their rehospitalization rates are too high. This ship has not only sailed, it’s returned to the dock and is taking on more well-informed passengers all the time.
So, sure, look into the crystal ball out there to speculate about the rest of 2018. But remember, too, that examining the past is also a good way to know the road ahead.
In this case, (re)hospitalizations is it. Knowledge about clinical and business practices that can keep your residents out of the hospital will make you a valued partner, and more likely to be an operator with a full house.
What a thrilling story that would be.
From the February 01, 2018 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
