Your Resource for HQIC News and Learning Opportunities | April 2023
Readmission Prevention for Sepsis Survivors
More acute care inpatients are surviving sepsis than previously and those survivors are at high risk of readmission.1,2

Those sepsis survivors are also at higher risk of developing sepsis again.3 Risk factors for readmission after sepsis include race, lower income, Medicare beneficiary, Medicaid beneficiary, younger than 80, and co-morbidities of malignancy, collagen vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, CHF, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and hospitalization within the last year.1

Additionally, one-third of readmissions from sepsis survivors occur within the first week after discharge.1 Accurate medication reconciliation, early and enhanced follow-up with primary care provider (PCP) who has access to the discharge summary, and early rehabilitation are strategies that can decrease readmissions of sepsis survivors.1

Tools and resources especially helpful for this patient population are available in The Flash section below.
It Figures—Data Performance
The data show there has been improvement in both all-cause readmission and sepsis readmission rates since the baseline period of 2019.

Visit the HSAG HQIC Quality Improvement Innovation Portal (QIIP) to view your readmission data by selecting the “Measure Category” of Readmit-Mortality and “Measure" of Readmissions: All-Cause and Readmissions: Sepsis.”
Disclaimer: Source: Medicare Fee-for-Service Claims Data. For additional details on measure specifications, please reference the HSAG HQIC Compendium of Measures. The baseline time period is 01/01/2019–12/31/2019 and current time period is 11/01/2021–10/31/2022.
The Flash: Resources
Discharge Risk Assessment
The Discharge Risk Assessment helps to identify risk for readmission before the patient is discharged.
Social Work Risk Assessment
The Social Work Assessment helps to identify specific criteria that may increase the likelihood of readmission.
7-Day Readmission Chart Audit Tool
The 7-Day Readmission Chart Audit Tool helps to understand the types of barriers patients and families experience shortly after discharge and potential situations that may have contributed to readmission. This resource also contains an audit tool with instructions and examples of how to display and report data and recognize your top contributors to readmission.
Critical Communication: New Podcasts Available!
Listener-friendly podcasts are now available on multiple quality and safety topics. Listen by clicking on the weblink below.
Events and Education
PFE Quickinar Series
Establishing a partnership with patients and families is imperative to improve patient quality and safety. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed the 5 Metrics for Person and Family Engagement to provide HQIC facilities a framework to engage patients and families in their care. Discover how to achieve these metrics, keep patients and families at the center of care, and engage staff to form an alliance with patients and families. 

1st & 3rd Thursdays. Next: April 6, 2023  | 1–1:30 p.m. ET
April 20, 2023 | 1–1:30 p.m. ET
Phase 2: Care Coordination Quickinar Series
Continue your care coordination journey for managing avoidable hospital readmissions by registering for these short, 30-minute webinars—offered monthly through July 2023. Find details and recordings for past presentations on the webpage.

Next: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 | 2–2:30 p.m. ET
Health Equity
Quickinar Series
Achieving equitable care for all patients is a key priority for the CMS, which is reflected in the new Hospital Commitment to Health Equity Structural Measure and Social Drivers Screening Measures in the Final Rule. These short, 30-minute presentations address the many facets and criteria hospitals will need to meet for these measures and assist your hospital in advancing health equity initiatives in alignment with CMS priorities.

2nd & 4th Thursdays. Next: April 13, 2023  | 1–1:30 p.m. ET
April 27, 2023 | 1–1:30 p.m. ET
References
1. Goodwin AJ, et al. Readmissions among sepsis survivors: Risk factors and prevention. Clin Pulm Med. (2018). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6141202/.

2. Lee JT, et al. Trends in post-acute care use after admissions for sepsis. Ann Am Thorac Soc. (2020). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6944346/#:~:text=Of%201%2C640%2C433%20hospital%20discharges%20after,%2C%20and%202.5%25%20to%20IRFs.
This material was prepared by Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG), a Hospital Quality Improvement Contractor (HQIC) under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication No XS-HQIC-XT-03162023-01