Transitional Surgery Center: Reducing 30-day Hospital Readmissions

In 2013 and 2014, an urban medical center had an overall surgical 30-day readmission rate of 17%. A team of nurse practitioners, nurses, and physicians collaborated to reduce this rate. To accomplish this, they addressed 3 areas of focus: patient education, discharge readiness, and early intervention. The team implemented an evidence-based discharge readiness tool, established a postdischarge communication process, and used a transitional surgery center where patients could be seen urgently. After this pilot program, the rate of readmissions for surgery was reduced from 17.2% in 2014 to 15.3% in 2015.