Certificate Program
Readmission Prevention for Case Managers
Reduce readmissions through smooth handovers, and improve transitions of care.
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About this Certificate Program
This offering ensures case managers and transdisciplinary team members have the tools to reduce preventable emergency department visits and readmissions while supporting initiatives to return patients to the community. Learners will improve their skills in advancing patient safety, promoting the achievement of desired patient outcomes, and maximizing reimbursement for provided services.
Target audience
This certificate series is applicable to case managers, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
Goals & objectives
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Analyze the outcomes of the case management plan: goals achieved, cost effectiveness, and need for future planning
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Distinguish the key roles of a transdisciplinary team and explain the value of the relationships that enhance communication and collaboration across each transition of patient care
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Determine policy and regulatory mandates that advance quality of care across the healthcare continuum
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Distinguish alternative payment models and delivery systems that support quality healthcare interventions
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Plan a patient journey that supports the highest attainable level of health resolution or wellness based on patient needs, preferences, and values
What’s included in the Certificate Program
Accredited Online Courses*
7 hours of online video lectures and patient demonstrations.
Interactive Learning Assessments
Case-based quizzes to evaluate and improve clinical reasoning.
Case Study Interviews
Recorded Q&A sessions between instructors and practice managers.
Certificate Program overview
Section 1
Ensuring Smooth Handovers, Transitions, and Care Coordination 4 ItemsDischarges and Readmissions: Essentials for a Smooth Handover Course
Chapter 1: The Transitional Team
In this chapter, the discussion centers on the identification and definition of key roles on the care coordination team, with emphasis on the value of these relationships and fostering collaboration to create a patient-centered care experience. We look at the difference between interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams and the need to eliminate silos.
Chapter 2: Changing a Handoff to a Handover
We continue the discussion with a comparison between handoff and handover in transition management. Communication across the varied transitional points is vital to the success of the patient, both in sending and receiving information. This chapter features demonstrations of both good and poor examples of sending and receiving between care team members at a key transition point from acute to post-acute care.
Chapter 3: Mr. Brown’s Journey to Optimal Health
Using the case study of Mr. Brown, we analyze the original what we know with the sending and receiving model. By digging deeper into both sides, we identify more information needed to ensure that Mr. Brown has a more complete and effective transitional experience.
Discharges and Readmissions: Advanced Facilitation of Smooth Handovers Course
Chapter 1: Communication: The Key to Effective Transitions
In this chapter, the discussion centers on the potential barriers to effective communication, introducing concepts such as bidirectional communication, interoperability, and a provider’s understanding of the patient’s knowledge to support shared decision-making.
Chapter 2: Building Effective Communication Pathways
We continue to explore communication with a look at specific strategies that can enhance communication (and collaboration) across the care continuum. We also look at the patient-specific barriers related to communication that can impact the transitions of care.
Chapter 3: Mr. Brown’s Journey Continues
Revisiting the case study of Mr. Brown, we follow the patient as he prepares to transition home, and we create a transition plan that supports him in his highest attainable level of health, based on his needs, preferences, and values. We note that home may be the ultimate destination but care is ongoing, and we explore the further care needs of this patient.
Discharges and Readmissions: Advancing Effective Coordination of Care Course
Chapter 1: Closing Transitional Care Gaps
In this chapter, we will begin to look at how to close transitional care gaps, with a focus on assessment and communication. Utilizing the Swiss cheese model, we will explore how easy it is for transitional care gaps to occur. The essential elements of transitions of care are identified and defined.
Chapter 2: Roles and Responsibilities of the Transition Team
One of the biggest risks among the transitions of care from setting to setting is ineffective communication. This chapter looks at the importance of the interdisciplinary handover and the roles/responsibilities of both the sender and receiver of information to ensure gaps are addressed/closed through the patient’s transitional experience.
Chapter 3: Transitional Care Models
Providing excellent healthcare relies on utilizing best practices. This chapter reviews several transitions-of-care best practices and recent research regarding implementation strategies. Outcome metrics, specifically focused on readmission reduction, are discussed.
Chapter 4: One Patient's Journey
We will travel along with Ms. Jones on her healthcare journey from acute care to rehabilitation facility to home. Looking at the critical points of transition, we will investigate and identify the gaps in her transitional planning, what could have been more effective, and how to best support this patient along the care continuum.
Chapter 5: Transitional Care Gaps
Based on our experience with Ms. Jones, we will delve into what exactly can be transitional care gaps, including reflection on the impact of the social determinants of health on a successful care transition. Topics include physical limitations, health literacy, family/caregiver support, and the impacts of psychosocial and financial issues.
Discharges and Readmissions: Advancing Appropriate Transitions of Care Course
Chapter 1: Transitions of Care
In this chapter, we will define the concept of transitions of care and discuss the impact that transitional care has on the healthcare delivery system. The impact of good and poor transitions on healthcare outcomes, costs, and patient experience is explored.
Chapter 2: Transitions of Care: Quality Metrics
Continuing the discussion on transitions of care, we study the metrics that are closely associated with transitions of care (readmissions, patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, financial outcomes). An in-depth discussion of the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program features prominently. This chapter begins a discussion on defining transitional care gaps and the risks/effects of each on the transition plan.
Chapter 3: Transitional Standards
We will continue the discussion of transitions in healthcare delivery with a review of the Transitions of Care Standards from the American Case Management Association. Following established standards of care can decrease the impact of the care gaps and create a better overall transitional experience. The standards are explored in detail in this section, and examples are used as illustration.
Chapter 4: Advancing Appropriate Transitions of Care
In previous sections, the concept of readmissions has been discussed. This chapter will introduce the readmission prevention concept. We will discuss the available tools and resources that clinicians can use with their patients to enable each patient to more effectively self-manage through the transition process. Examples from leading transitions-of-care organizations are highlighted.
Section 2
Payment Models and Quality 2 ItemsDischarges and Readmissions: A Quality Mandate Course
Chapter 1: A Foundation for Quality Healthcare Delivery
In this chapter, we will define the key elements of quality and safety in healthcare delivery, referencing the seminal work Crossing the Quality Chasm from the Institute of Medicine. The discussion continues with a review of policy and regulatory mandates that advance quality of care across the care continuum. This also features an overview of the National Quality Initiative and the Triple Aim.
Chapter 2: A Mandated Approach to Quality
In this chapter, we continue the quality discussion, focusing on legislative actions that impact healthcare delivery along the care continuum. Legislative actions that feature prominently in this section include the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the IMPACT Act.
Chapter 3: A Measured Approach to Quality
We will wrap up the discussion of quality in healthcare delivery with the identification of key metrics that are used to evaluate the quality of provided care through each transition of patient care. The discussion includes regulatory, accreditation, and consumer assessment models, with discussion regarding the ramifications of negative outcomes (readmissions, mortality, morbidity) and the importance of patient experience perspective at the varied settings of patient care.
Discharges and Readmissions: The Impact of Alternative Payment Models Course
Chapter 1: The Transitional Care Team
In this chapter, we explore the evolving role of the transitional team as the patient moves through the care continuum. We discuss the fundamental shifts from length of stay to effectiveness of the plan, from provision of discharge instructions to advancing an understanding and engagement in the information for patient self-management, and the balancing act of financial stewardship and patient advocacy.
Chapter 2: Value-Based Payment Models
We continue with a review of the shifting focus of healthcare from volume to value through a discussion of current alternative payment models and healthcare delivery systems. Concepts including value-based purchasing, bundled payment models, patient-centered medical homes, accountable care organizations, and transitional care management are examined.
Chapter 3: The Impact of Transitional Care Management
Join us for a discussion between the instructors on key transitional care management topics reviewed in this series. The impact of each element is discussed within this lively Q&A.
Instructors
Colleen Morley
DNP, RN, CCM, CMAC, CMGT-BC, CMCN, ACM, RN, IQCI, FCM, FAACM
Nancy Skinner
RN, CCM, CMGT-RN, ACM-RN, CMCN, FCM
CEU approved
7
total hours*
of accredited coursework.
Medbridge accredits each course individually so you can earn CEUs as you progress.
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Browse PlansFrequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Certificate Programs.
Accreditation Hours
Each course is individually accredited and exact hours will vary by state and discipline. Check each course for specific accreditation for your license.
When do I get my certificate?
You will receive accredited certificates of completion for each course as you complete them. Once you have completed the entire Certificate Program you will receive your certificate for the program.
Do I get CEU credit?
Each course is individually accredited. Please check each course for your state and discipline. You can receive CEU credit after each course is completed.
Do I have to complete the courses in order?
It is not required that you complete the courses in order. Each Certificate Program's content is built to be completed sequentially but it is not forced to be completed this way.
How long do I have access to the Certificate Program?
You will have access to this Certificate Program for as long as you are a subscriber. Your initial subscription will last for one year from the date you purchase.
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