Social factors such as homelessness can lead to higher healthcare costs, more frequent readmissions, and longer lengths of stay for affected patients. But for the first time, hospitals may be able to recoup some of those expenses.
Improving care quality for patients experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness is a challenge for many organizations. Some hospitals have decided that providing housing to those in need can not only help needy patients but also significantly reduce healthcare costs.
Hospitals are doing a better job at protecting patients from safety problems leading to deaths from accidents, infections, injuries, and medical errors, but there is still much room for improvement, according to the most recent Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade report.
Medicare audits by quality improvement organizations and contractors have become a routine responsibility for directors of case management. Here are some practical and best-practice tips for successful audit outcomes
