Patients Can Take Steps to Prevent Readmission after a Hospital Stay
More than one in 10 patients discharged from the hospital are readmitted within 30 days, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.*
“For planned hospital admissions, preparation and patient education prior to a scheduled stay can reduce the need to return to the hospital soon after discharge,” advised Ankit Garg, MD, vice president of medical affairs at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. He offers the following tips.
Before Going to the Hospital for a Planned Procedure
- Make a list of the following:
- Important questions, including if you’ll need special equipment, supplies or supervision once you return home.
- All medications you use, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements.
- Any allergies you have.
- Eliminate tripping hazards in your home so you can move around safely as you recover.
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