CMS opens requests for proposals for new initiative to reduce hospital readmissions

Andy Slavitt of CMS.

Recent data shows that avoiding infections, adverse health events and hospital readmissions is possible, as recent data has shown, according to Patrick Conway, Acting Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

A report released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in December showed that since 2010, there's been an unprecedented 39 percent reduction in preventable patient harm in U.S. hospitals, Slavitt said in his blog on Wednesday.

To continue progress towards a safer healthcare system, CMS is requesting proposals for a new initiative, the Hospital Improvement and Innovation Networks.

The goal through 2019 is to pursue new national aims to achieve a 20 percent decrease in overall patient harm and a 12 percent reduction in 30-day hospital readmissions, Slavitt said. This is a population-based measure of readmissions per 1,000 people, from the 2014 baseline, Slavitt said.

For the open competition, CMS encourages all interested parties to submit a proposal for the Hospital Improvement and Innovation Networks. Organizations which have participated in the past in the Partnership for Patients or the Quality Improvement Organization programs are welcome to submit a proposal for the new initiative, but will compete for selection against all other organizations submitting proposals, Slavitt said.

The Hospital Improvement and Innovation Networks is part of the Quality Improvement Organization initiative. It continues the work started by the Hospital Engagement Networks and the Partnership for Patients initiative.

Organizations that are awarded the Hospital Improvement and Innovation Networks will have access to information from the former programs to help them support  hospitals, patients, and their caregivers in implementing well-tested, evidence-based best practices, Slavitt said.

Many of these organizations are currently working with more than 250 communities and over 3,700 acute care hospitals to improve care transitions and reduce adverse drug events, Slavitt said. These efforts involve approximately 80 percent of all people discharged from hospitals across the nation.

Efforts have resulted in 2.1 million fewer patients harmed, 87,000 lives saved, and nearly $20 billion in cost-savings from 2010 to 2014, Slavitt said. The nation has also made substantial progress in reducing 30-day hospital readmissions, he said.