Why home-based care agencies should keep track of hospital re-admission rates 

For home-based care agencies, keeping their clients healthy and happy is of the utmost importance. One of the key metrics that agencies use to assess their success in this area is the hospital re-admission rate.  A staggering 78.2% of home-based care providers said they weren’t tracking hospital re-admission rates based on a report in 2021.  

In this blog post, we’ll explain why home-based care agencies should keep track of hospital re-admission rates and how it can help them provide better care for their clients. 

1. Lowering hospital re-admissions is a key priority 

Keeping hospital re-admissions low is incredibly important for home-based care agencies for a number of reasons. Not only is it a key metric for assessing the quality of care provided, but it’s also an important factor in maintaining a positive reputation. Home-based care agencies that have high re-admission rates are likely to be viewed negatively by healthcare providers, insurers, and clients alike. 

2. It improves the quality of care provided 

Tracking hospital re-admission rates can help home-based care agencies identify areas where they need to improve the quality of care provided. For example, if there is a high re-admission rate for clients with a specific health condition, it may indicate that the agency needs to provide extra training for their staff on how to manage this condition. This can ultimately lead to better health outcomes for clients and a greater level of satisfaction with the care provided. 

3. It can help agencies save money 

Hospital re-admissions can be costly for both clients and home-based care agencies alike. By keeping re-admissions low, agencies can save themselves the cost of providing additional care to clients, as well as the cost of paying for any hospital stays. This can be particularly beneficial for agencies that operate on tight budgets. 

4. It encourages continuity of care 

Tracking hospital re-admission rates can help home-based care agencies ensure that their clients receive continuity of care. By keeping track of any hospital stays or visits, agencies can work with their clients’ healthcare providers to ensure that the proper care is provided both in and out of the hospital. This can help to prevent complications and improve the overall health of clients in the long term. 

5. It can help agencies improve their processes 

Finally, tracking hospital re-admission rates can help home-based care agencies improve their processes. By identifying areas where they are falling short, agencies can take steps to improve their policies, procedures, and overall approach to care. This can lead to a more efficient and effective home-based care service, with better outcomes for clients. 

Home-based care agencies that care about the quality of care they provide to their clients should absolutely be tracking hospital re-admission rates. Not only does it improve the quality of care provided and save money, but it also encourages continuity of care and helps agencies improve their processes. With so many benefits, there’s no reason why any home-based care agency should neglect this important metric. By keeping track of hospital re-admission rates and taking steps to reduce them, home-based care agencies can ensure that their clients receive the best possible care.