Finally, we see that CMS is showing it really cares about the whole system. So far, NHs were encouraged to improve care and reduce readmissions. Both very noble goals. However we have mainly contributed to the bottom line of hospitals by helping them to avoid penalties for 30 day readmissions. The article published recently in Modern Health announces a pilot with 250 participating SNFs that are hoping to be rewarded for reducing hospital admissions for conditions that are commonly called Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC),such as urinary tract infection, pneumonia to name a few. The message to the post acute community is: improve care, pay attention to what you can treat in the SNF and you will be rewarded.

Dr. Robert Kane has demonstrated many years back,  that encouraging NHs to treat pneumonia in the NH resulted in fewer hospital admissions without any increase in adverse effect or mortality. This pilot is a right step in the right direction. CALTCM has been on the forefront in California training more the 250 NHs on INTERACT implementation. This year we launched CALTCM SNF 2.0 that uses the INTERACT Quality Improvement paradigm but emphasizes leadership training for individual NHs to allow them to successfully implement and sustain INTERACT and other practice improvements.  I want to see you all at the upcoming annual meeting April 29-30 and the pre-conference on Friday morning featuring Best Practice Summit.

Click here for article:  CMS will test paying more for skilled nursing to curb hospital readmissions