Reducing Hospital Readmissions Among Incarcerated Patients

In many health care settings, hospital readmissions represent poor quality and increased costs. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation includes reduced readmission rates among key performance indicators for the quality of care provided to inmates. More than 25% of the institutions continue to face challenges in minimizing these occurrences. Despite historic deficiencies, the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran reduced 30-day readmissions over a 2-year period. The use of a mnemonic algorithm along with intervention strategies was effective in achieving system goals. In a broader context, the success of this methodology breaks new ground and has promising implications for the improved health status of incarcerated populations. Other correctional environments would be well served in adopting these measures.