There are many innovative practices being used to make sure patients are not unnecessarily readmitted to the hospital.
A recent U.S News article http://health.usnews.com * describe a discharge regimen used by the Cleveland Clinic.
“When Richard Jones of Niles, Ohio, 70, was discharged in May, he was sent home with a digital scale to flag any weight fluctuations (a possible sign of fluid buildup), a blood pressure cuff, and other monitoring equipment tied into the hospital system. He was also assigned a telemonitoring support team of nurses, social workers, nutritionists, therapists, and doctors who would check his vital signs daily, remotely or in person, for up to 40 days. In phone and house calls, the team coordinated follow-up doctor visits and counseled the lifelong cheeseburger-and-fries fan on worrisome symptoms to watch for and how to make lifestyle changes stick.”
* to read the full U.S. News article “How Healthcare Is Changing—for the Better” by Christopher J. Gearson, highlight and click on open hyperlink
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2012/10/18/how-healthcare-is-changingfor-the-better