Source: Boston University Medical Center

Of the $1.2 trillion leaking out of the healthcare system, PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting reports that hospital readmissions rank as the #5 reason, at a cost of  $25 billion.  Helping the hospital discharge process may help to curb these figures.  Boston University Medical Center has developed Project RED to tackle the problems associated with hospital discharge.

Project Re-Engineered Discharge is a research group at Boston University Medical Center that develops and tests strategies to improve the hospital discharge process in a way that promotes patient safety and reduces re-hospitalization rates.  The RED (re-engineered discharge) intervention is founded on 11 discrete, mutually reinforcing components and has been proven to reduce rehospitalizations and yields high rates of patient satisfaction.  Virtual patient advocates are currently being tested in conjunction with the RED.  In addition, Project RED has started to implement the re-engineered discharge at other hospitals serving diverse patient populations.

Read more about the initiative at: Project RED (Re-Engineered Discharge)