chan- protocol- post-d/c f/up phone calls

chan- protocol- post-d/c f/up phone calls

by Brian -
  • What level of government did you target to translate your research into policy and why did this make the most sense?

 

Two levels of government seem most applicable- one is local governments, and the County Dept of Public Health is a potential partner in supporting and implementing a transitions of care intervention/post-discharge follow up call .

 

Nationally, Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Studies, and Congress are targets because they are formulating national policies regarding readmissions and patient experience that impact development of tools like the discharge follow up phone call as a quality metric/indicators.

 

  • What level of government makes the most sense for you to translate your research into policy and why?

 

Since SFGH is county run by DPH and has a financial incentive to reduce re-admissions/preventable readmission, it makes sense for local government to translate transitional care research into policy.

 

  • What strategies did you use to reach policymakers? 

 

I might use the following to reach policymakers

  • Conduct and publish results of research supporting use of this intervention (post-discharge f/up call intervention)
  • Form patient-physician advisory boards/focus groups and begin the implementation of a pilot project regarding transitions of care
  • Focus groups may be good sources of “personal-interest” stories/examples and qualitative data that policy makers tend to relate to, particularly since it affects their constituents.
  • Engage public health organizations, and patient advocacy groups to advocate and discuss with local policymakers the importance of the intervention.
  •  
    • What steps are available to you to reach policymakers?

 

Physician champions and hospital leadership are the first step in reaching policymakers. These staff members are equipped to educate policymakers as well as advocate on behalf of the hospital. Patient advocacy groups are another avenue to reach policymakers. Public health organizations (DPH) also have to report to county policymakers and provide an additional avenue to implement change/policy.

Re: chan- protocol- post-d/c f/up phone calls

by Sarah Imershein -

It also makes sense to target CMS for rule changes to reimbursement for phone consultation time.  I don't think there is a current reimbursement structure in place for this.  It might just continue to be considered part of one DRG, but if there was a way to show that enhanced services improved outcomes, maybe there could be some kind of quality modifier that increased reimbursement.

Re: chan- protocol- post-d/c f/up phone calls

by Sarah Imershein -

It also makes sense to target CMS for rule changes to reimbursement for phone consultation time.  I don't think there is a current reimbursement structure in place for this.  It might just continue to be considered part of one DRG, but if there was a way to show that enhanced services improved outcomes, maybe there could be some kind of quality modifier that increased reimbursement.

Re: chan- protocol- post-d/c f/up phone calls

by Lisa Thompson -

I like the approaches you outlined. Another strategy to reach the policy makers might be to give public comment at the SFDPH's Health Commission meeting--both providers and patients telling their stories--maybe they will pass a resolution to look into funding the pilot at SFGH.

http://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/hc/HCRes/default.asp