Technology & Hospital Readmissions
- Inefficient hospital discharge processes can lead to confusion and medication errors, resulting in costly readmissions.
- Judit Sharon, CEO and founder of OnPage Corporation, says hospital readmissions are a solvable problem.
- Nearly 20% of Medicare patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge due to inadequate communication or gaps in post-hospital care, according to studies.
Tired of hospital readmissions? This article unveils how real-time communication technology is revolutionizing hospital discharge processes, slashing the risk of return visits. The key? streamlining communication with secure messaging, direct access to care teams, adn automated escalation – transforming how hospitals manage patient handoffs. Discover how these tech-driven solutions improve patient outcomes while cutting costs. News Directory 3 reports that nearly 20% of Medicare patients are readmitted within 30 days. By adopting innovative strategies, hospitals can ensure better health outcomes and reduce needless returns. What will the healthcare landscape look like with these changes? Discover what’s next…
Tech Improves Hospital Discharge, Cuts Readmissions
Updated May 25, 2025
Inefficient hospital discharge processes can lead to confusion and medication errors, resulting in costly readmissions. For healthcare organizations, improving discharge procedures is essential for better patient outcomes and reduced costs.
Judit Sharon, CEO and founder of OnPage Corporation, says hospital readmissions are a solvable problem. by replacing outdated communication methods with real-time collaboration tools, hospitals can transform how they manage discharges. These solutions streamline transitions, prevent errors, and keep patients connected to their care teams.
Nearly 20% of Medicare patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge due to inadequate communication or gaps in post-hospital care, according to studies. Readmissions can result in poorer patient outcomes, making it critical for healthcare institutions to adopt strategies that minimize these risks.
Many hospitals still rely on outdated communication methods, such as pagers and voicemail systems, that slow down care coordination. Modern clinical communication and collaboration tools are changing this landscape by providing real-time, secure messaging that enhances provider collaboration and ensures patients receive timely follow-up care.
Sharon notes that many hospitals give patients a general contact number for post-discharge concerns, but these often lead to voicemail or administrative offices with limited availability. by implementing direct patient-to-care team communication, hospitals can provide 24/7 access to medical professionals who can address patient concerns in real time, which reduces unneeded readmissions.
“By replacing outdated communication methods with real-time collaboration tools, hospitals can transform how they manage discharges. These solutions streamline transitions, prevent errors, and keep patients connected to their care teams.”
—Judit Sharon, CEO and founder of OnPage Corporation
Technology-driven strategies to optimize discharge workflows and improve post-hospital patient care include:
- Real-Time secure Messaging: Replacing outdated pagers with real-time messaging platforms allows healthcare teams to communicate efficiently and securely.
- automated escalation Protocols: Automated escalation systems ensure that if an initial contact is unavailable, the request is seamlessly forwarded to the next qualified provider.
- Smart Notification Routing: Automated scheduling systems ensure that messages are routed efficiently,preventing crucial notifications from being missed and ensuring timely follow-up care.
- Direct Patient-to-Provider Communication: Allowing a discharged patient to communicate his/her concern directly with the on-call care teams improves engagement, ensures questions are answered promptly, and prevents minor concerns from escalating into hospital visits.
Hospitals that have integrated these technology-driven strategies report meaningful reductions in readmission rates and improved patient satisfaction. By ensuring continuous, real-time communication between providers and patients, healthcare organizations can quickly address post-discharge concerns, prevent unnecessary emergency visits, and improve patient recovery experiences.
What’s next
Optimizing discharge procedures through technology will be crucial in delivering high-quality, cost-effective healthcare solutions as hospitals continue their shift toward value-based care.The technology exists, and now is the time to use it to improve hospital discharge and patient communication, ultimately reducing hospital readmissions.