The hospital to home quality improvement initiative

Abstract

Hospital to Home (H2H) is a national quality improvement initiative designed to support efforts to reduce unnecessary cardiovascular-related hospital readmissions. Launched in 2009 by the American College of Cardiology and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, H2H acts as a clearinghouse for clinical providers and healthcare institutions to share strategies for optimizing transitions of care from the inpatient to the outpatient setting. The program centers around three core concepts: patient understanding of, and access to, medications; routine early follow-up with a healthcare provider following discharge; and comprehension of signs and symptoms that require medical attention, and how to seek urgent care in a timely manner. H2H has begun to offer toolkits, instructional webinars, and surveys to further develop these core concepts; it is also launching 'challenge projects' such as 'Mind Your Meds' or 'See You in 7'. To date, there are more than 1,000 unique hospitals enrolled from all 50 states. Individuals and institutions can learn more by registering online (at www.h2hquality.org).© Touch Briefings 2012.