The Seton Heart Center and Seton Home Care work together closely to ensure that patients are not admitted to the hospital unless it is medically necessary. The Center's telephone triage program, staffed by highly trained professionals, was established to talk with patients on the phone and monitor patient situations. All patients who have been in for an overnight stay are contacted by phone within days of their release. In addition, patients are given detailed training and instructions on the signs and symptoms that would necessitate them calling the clinic. These steps are often the key to preventing re-admission to the hospital.
Early intervention can stave off more serious problems.
Our telephone triage program allows us to monitor patients with technological support and outpatient care. One change brought about by the increase in outpatient care is that patients are seen more often by nurses. Specially trained cardiac nurses from Seton's cardiac area or from the Critical Care Units work with the Seton Home Care staff to manage patient care. This expanded nursing role allows patients more time to ask questions and better educate themselves about their illness. Another element that helps reduce hospital admissions, and readmissions, is patient education.