Powell Valley Hospital was one of two Wyoming hospitals recognized last week by WYhealth during the Wyoming Hospital Association Annual Conference.

The hospital was recognized Sept. 3 for having the lowest 30-day readmission rate for Wyoming Medicaid patients during 2014, according to a press release from WYhealth.

Powell Valley Hospital had 117 Medicaid member admissions during 2014 with a 30-day rate of readmission of 0.85 percent. The average 30-day readmission rate amongst Wyoming hospitals was 7.09 percent, the release said. That is more than eight times higher than the rate at Powell Valley Hospital.

“We were very excited” about receiving the reward, said Kristin Greenwald, med-surg and OB director for Powell Valley Healthcare.

While the award recognized the low readmission rate for Medicaid patients, Greenwald said preventing readmissions among patients is a primary focus for all patients at the hospital.

“It’s really part of our case management program — just being sure when patients are discharged that they have the equipment they need, they are able to fill all their medications — that’s a huge part of it — as well as (making) follow-up appointments with their doctor.”

Greenwald said follow-up appointments generally are made before the patient leaves the hospital.

A decision on when to release a patient is based on communication between the medical provider, nursing and case management, and takes into consideration help available at home as well as additional needs, such as physical therapy or home health care, she said.

Greenwald said West Park Home Health in Cody has been providing home health services in Powell since Powell Valley Home Health and Hospice terminated its service to new patients.

Star Valley Medical Center was recognized as a top collaborator in the WYhealth Emergency Room Appropriate Care Site Initiative. Their collaboration started with friendly staff, use of new reports they developed and the self-initiation of providing more information than requested to ensure WYhealth was prepared to reach out to their emergency room visitors, according to a press release from WYHealth.

Both awards recognize the hospitals’ efforts in working with the Medicaid population to lower emergency room utilization and readmission rates by working closely with WYhealth, which offers services to Medicaid-approved providers and facilities. 

WYhealth, under contract with the Wyoming Department of Health, has been commissioned to identify ways to improve the health of Wyoming Medicaid members, while also cutting costs, the release said.

Through the WYhealth ER Appropriate Care Program, the state realized an estimated cost savings of $1.8 million.

The readmission reduction initiative garnered a cost savings for Wyoming in 2014 of approximately $600,000, the release said.

“The work of these hospitals in promoting and improving appropriate care is something the industry can build on,” said Dr. James Bush, Wyoming Medicaid medical director.