SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Multidisciplinary Bedside Huddles Reduce Readmissions in High Risk Patients

Pdf Summary

This study evaluated whether multidisciplinary bedside huddles before discharge could reduce 30-day readmissions in high-risk general internal medicine patients at a 550-bed academic medical center.<br /><br />Patients at highest risk were identified using the HARRD score, with scores of 4–5 associated with readmission rates as high as 36%. The intervention was introduced in phases: first as a pilot on one unit, then expanded to additional units with either “opt-in” or “opt-out” participation, and finally implemented across all general internal medicine units using a fully “opt-out” approach. Huddles occurred 24–48 hours before discharge and used a standardized checklist to address patient and family concerns. Patients discharged to facilities were excluded.<br /><br />The phased rollout showed that implementation strategy strongly affected uptake. When participation required “opt-in,” only 4% of eligible huddles were completed, whereas the “opt-out” model achieved 89% completion. This higher uptake was associated with better outcomes. In high-risk patients, 30-day readmission rates were lower among those who received a huddle compared with those who did not, and overall readmissions decreased over time as the process matured.<br /><br />The authors conclude that a slow, iterative, human-centered implementation with strong leadership support and ongoing stakeholder feedback was key to success. Allowing multidisciplinary staff flexibility in determining who needed a huddle improved adoption, while opt-in strategies significantly reduced participation. Overall, multidisciplinary bedside huddles were shown to reduce readmissions in high-risk patients, and the intervention was later expanded across the health system.

Asset Subtitle

Lara Voigt

Meta Tag

Author List Ankur Segon, Brian Hilgeman, Lara Voigt

Category Research

Concept Hospital Readmission

Concept Bedside Huddle

Concept High-Risk Patient

Concept Transitional Care

Concept HARRD Score

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Uthscsa

Presenting Author Lara Voigt

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

multidisciplinary bedside huddles

30-day readmissions

high-risk patients

general internal medicine

HARRD score

discharge planning

opt-out implementation

opt-in participation

academic medical center

readmission reduction

Hospital Readmission

Bedside Huddle

High-Risk Patient

Transitional Care

HARRD Score