Week 1: Researching Hospital Readmissions & Unexpected Circumstances
Parth R -
I have spent a lot of time this week researching hospital readmissions waiting to start shadowing my site placement mentor. However, he experienced a family emergency and had to leave abruptly to India, and so I was not able to carry out hands-on research with him this week. Although disappointing, it provided the opportunity to continue developing an understanding of the causes of hospital readmissions and to continue forming a strategy in tackling the project.
One of the most significant findings of my study is that most hospital readmissions are avoidable. Insufficient post-discharge care, poor patient education, and uncontrolled complications are some of the contributing factors. I found that almost one in five Medicare patients are readmitted within 30 days, which totals billions in cost. This reinforced how important it is to enhance follow-up care. I also learned about machine learning models that detect readmission risk, which is relevant to me in healthcare and the implementation of Artificial Intelligence within the field. These models detect patients who are at risk early, which leaves the door open for more focused interventions.
In spite of the delay, I’m excited to shadow my mentor once he gets back. Watching physicians, nurses, and hospital personnel try to avert readmissions will provide a close view of the problems in the system. I’m particularly curious to observe how departments communicate with one another, how effectively patients grasp discharge instructions, and if logistical hurdles get in the way of their being able to follow through. I am also excited to gather data on each of the patients and connect the dots on which types of patients and conditions relate to the highest readmission rates. I’m also hoping my mentor’s situation resolves soon, and I appreciate his willingness to still be involved in my project despite the circumstances.
Although this week didn’t quite work out as planned, I still feel like I got something done. Learning about the extent of hospital readmissions has solidified my foundation even more, and I am looking forward to applying what I’ve learned when I am finally able to shadow. Thank you for your patience and expect more to come soon!