Faith-Based Initiative Aims to Reduce Readmissions

Two North Carolina medical centers are teaming up with local churches and community centers for an initiative focused on improving patient health and reducing readmissions, the Wilkes Journal-Patriot reported.

FaithHealthNC is a collaborative effort between community groups, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Wilkes Regional Medical Center in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The initiative relies on volunteers from the community and hosted a free, six-hour training session June 18 led by the readmissions coordinator at Wilkes Regional Medical Center and a liaison for the Division of FaithHealth at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

FaithHealthNC focuses on ensuring patients have support and access to resources pre- and post-discharge. Many of the patients taking advantage of the initiative are uninsured or struggling with transportation to and from medical appointments. The trained volunteers often assist with transportation to ensure patients can make it to their post-discharge appointments, which can often help patients avoid another trip to the hospital. Patients are not charged for the services provided.

The FaithHealth program at Wilkes Regional Medical Center screens patients while they are still hospitalized to determine their post-discharge needs. The patients are given information about the program prior to leaving the hospital, according to the Wilkes-Journal Patriot.