2012-10-26 20:01:06 - STAAR co-founder to suggest tactics to reduce 30-day hospital readmission rates, financial penalties during November 14, 2012 Webinar

SEA GIRT, NJ, USA, October 25, 2012 --- Amy Boutwell, MD, MPP, co-founder of the STAAR (State Action on Avoidable Rehospitalizations) Initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) senior physician consultant to the National Coordinating Center for the CMS QIO Care Transitions Theme, and president of Collaborative Healthcare Strategies, will share cross-continuum tactics to reduce readmissions and the associated financial impact of the CMS Readmission Penalty program during a November 14, 2012 webinar from the Healthcare Intelligence Network.

The 45-minute webinar is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Learn more about reducing readmission rates and penalties at: www.hin.com/cgi-local/link/news/pl.cgi?readmissions13.

NEWS FACTS:

* Scheduled Speaker: Amy Boutwell, MD, MPP, president of Collaborative Healthcare Strategies, co-founder of the STAAR (State Action

on Avoidable Rehospitalizations) Initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and senior physician consultant to the National Coordinating Center for the CMS QIO Care Transitions Theme

* Conference Focus: Creating a diversified and stratified approach to reducing readmissions; developing a practice change culture to respond to clinical conditions that ensures patients are treated at the right site of care; reviewing care processes, readmissions and enabling testing and implementing practice improvements to reduce readmissions; making the improvements needed in reducing readmission while incurring penalties; and much more.

* Webinar Formats: 45-minute live webinar on November 14, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, including Q&A; "On-Demand" replay available November 16, 2012; 45-minute training DVD or CD-ROM with printed transcript available December 5, 2012. Participants may add an on-demand, DVD or CD to their live session registration to share with colleagues.

Learn more about reducing readmission rates and penalties at: www.hin.com/cgi-local/link/news/pl.cgi?readmissions13.

QUOTE ATTRIBUTABLE TO MELANIE MATTHEWS, HIN EXECUTIVE VP AND COO:

"Avoiding the CMS' readmission penalties rolled out this month should be top of mind for healthcare organizations. Hospitals face a penalty cap of 1 percent of Medicare revenue this fiscal year, on up to 3 percent in FY 15. Dr. Boutwell's rich background and diverse experience in readmission reduction, particularly in the area of care transition management, will no doubt be useful to organizations wishing to avoid the financial impact from certain 30-day readmissions."

Please contact Patricia Donovan to arrange an interview or to obtain additional quotes.

About the Healthcare Intelligence Network --- HIN is the premier advisory service for executives seeking high-quality strategic information on the business of healthcare. For more information, contact the Healthcare Intelligence Network, PO Box 1442, Wall Township, NJ 07719-1442, (888) 446-3530, fax (732) 449-4463, e-mail info@hin.com, or visit www.hin.com.