Potentially avoidable readmissions are a significant issue in New Jersey, which has historically struggled with the highest readmissions rates in the country.

NJHA will host a full-day conference Sept. 13 to explore new, innovative strategies to reducing readmissions from best practice innovators in New Jersey and around the country.

In fiscal year 2015, New Jersey had the highest proportion of hospitals penalized as part of Medicare’s Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Recent efforts by hospitals and the Partnership for Patients initiative to reduce readmission rates have resulted in some improvement. During the first round of New Jersey’s Hospital Engagement Network, participating hospitals saw an 11.5 percent reduction in 30-day all-cause readmissions for all payers. However, the factors associated with the likelihood of a patient being readmitted extend far beyond the reach of hospitals

Registration is now open for this program. Attendees will earn continuing education credits.