Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics in northeastern Oregon continues to focus on keeping its readmission rates well below both state and national standards.
With more than 80 providers, including four pediatricians, Grande Ronde Hospital predominately serves Union County while also participating in the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization, which covers 12 rural and frontier counties with a land area that extends over 50,000 square miles of the state.
Various changes made by the health system over the last year decreased their 30-day readmission rates from 11.30, which was still below state and national benchmarks, to where it currently stands at 6.85, a decrease of nearly 40%.
Maintained nurse-to-patient ratios to 1:4, including one hospitalist and one Nurse Practitioner, according to Wade Twilegar, Director Inpatient Services at Grande Ronde.
“As an Oregon critical access hospital (CAH), we are not mandated to hold any ratios, but leadership choose to retain more staff, including three case managers for a daily average census of 11 patients,” he said.
They also utilized more swing beds in the CAH because of rising numbers of readmitted patients from area skilled nursing facilities. The physical therapist and occupational therapists collaborate with Nursing to support coverage of these extra swing beds, holding daily check-ins to communicate temporary patient surges. Nurses and staff are also encouraged and empowered to discuss patient concerns during daily grand rounds.
Another important move now ensures that every discharged patient receives a phone call to check their condition and schedule a follow-up appointment within 48 hours after leaving the facility. This responsibility was shifted from nurses to managers because they can respond in a timely manner and have autonomy to push for immediate patient resolutions if needed.
About Grande Ronde Hospital:
Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics is a state and nationally recognized and award-winning not-for-profit health system that includes a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital and 12 outpatient clinics. They are in Union County, Oregon, serving a base population of more than 25,000 residents, as well as providing services for the greater Eastern Oregon region.