Patients who leave the hospital against medical advice are more likely than other patients to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, adding up to a sizable and costly problem, according to a study published June 11 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open.
Q: As case managers, we often deal with patient populations that are afflicted by health disparities. What are some of the best strategies for reducing these disparities?
Irene, an expert medical case manager, is worried about her mother, Sadie, who is 87 years old with severe cardiovascular disease and mild-to-moderate dementia. Sadie lives in an assisted living facility. Clearly, she belongs to the group identified as being the most vulnerable to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Health disparities have received plenty of attention lately, and for good reason. These differences, which exist among various groups in the United States, can affect everything from readmission rates to health outcomes and are often the result of environmental, social, and economic factors.
Q: How has the 2-midnight rule been impacted by waivers issued during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic? What changes should case managers be aware of?
Q: The communication gap between healthcare providers and family members is arguably most apparent now than it has ever been. What role can case managers play to help narrow this gap?
