STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2.1

SUPPORTING ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL TRANSITIONS

About 75 percent of hospital patients who are referred to HCS are new to our system and need functional and/ or financial eligibility determinations. Our staff must make these determinations quickly to transition these individuals from acute care settings when they no longer have a medical need to be there. This has become even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when keeping beds available in acute care settings is critical to ensure people receive the emergency care they need.

The effort of supporting people to quickly transition from acute care settings requires strong collaboration and cross systems partnerships that include providers, HCS staff, hospitals, managed care organizations, the Health Care authority and communities. Through these partnerships, we can provide appropriate services and community options that honor patient choice and reduce medical costs while increasing individual wellbeing and quality of life.

ALTSA’s Strategic Objective 2.1 is to support people to transition from acute care hospitals to services in their homes or communities. This supports the DSHS strategic priority to serve people in their home community.

To learn more about the work we’re doing to support clients transition from acute care hospitals, read Kerrie’s story on page 13.

Success Measure 2.1.1:

ALTSA has remained below the target since April 2021. The goal is to ensure that the number of clients who remain in the hospital over 100 days is below 5%.

Success Measure 2.1.2:

This effort requires strong collaboration and cross systems partnerships. ALTSA continues to build on what has been developed to reach the target goal of 75%. The goal is to ensure at 75% of our clients are transitioned out of the acute care hospital within 30 days.