Heart Failure

February 2013

Reducing Hospital Readmission

Heart failure is the most frequent diagnosis associated with 30-day hospital readmission¹, which is coupled with a greater risk of morbidity and mortality. Starting in October 2012, hospitals began to face monetary Medicare penalties due to excessive patient readmission rates associated with heart failure, pneumonia, and acute myocardial infarction.

Approximately, for heart failure, 1500 providers are being penalized for excessive heart failure readmission rates, 1550 providers are NOT being penalized for excessive heart failure readmission rates, and 2700 providers are within 5 or fewer patients of being penalized or not. With modest changes in readmission rates, these 2700 provides could incur or eliminate penalties.^2,3

Providers are using a variety of approaches to help reduce readmission rates, but a key component of any program to be cost effective is stratifying the risk type of the patient.  New biomarkers like ST2 and galectin-3 can help clinicians have a greater understanding of an individual patient’s likelihood of readmission and may potentially guide utilization of more aggressive treatment protocols.

For More Information

For more information on how these new biomarkers and strategies can help reduce hospital readmission rates for heart failure patients, contact your Regional Manager.

References

1. Jencks SF, Williams MV, Coleman EA: N Engl J Med 2009;360:1418-1428
2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health Care Information System (HCIS) File. 
   Retrieved 1.20.13

3. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Readmissions Reduction Program.
   Retrieved 1.20.13