Reducing pediatric psychiatric hospital readmissions and improving quality care through an innovative Readmission Risk Predictor Tool

Problem Less than 30‐day readmission has become a national problem. This pediatric medical center discovered that the primary diagnosis of Mood Disorder, not otherwise specified, was the third most common readmission diagnosis hospital‐wide. Administration actively sought a resolution to less‐than‐30‐day readmissions because All‐Patient‐Refined‐Diagnostic‐Related Groups would soon include pediatric hospitals with reimbursement impact. Methods The Iowa Model for evidence‐based practice framed the work of case management to identify readmission risk, reduce readmissions, and improve patient quality. In July 2014, the Readmit Predictor Tool (RPT) and Protocol were developed from literature review of contributing factors of pediatric psychiatric readmissions and assessed levels of readmission risk. The nurse case manager provided follow‐up telephone calls to caregivers with children identified as moderate‐to‐high risk for readmissions. Findings Effects of RPT use resulted in decreased readmissions by 29.5% in the first year, followed by 7.8% and 5.1% reductions in the second and third years, respectively, despite substantial increases in patient acuity during the period. Conclusion Using the RPT and initiating the psychiatry nurse case manager position, less‐than‐30‐day readmissions decreased over a 3‐year period.