Hospitalizations and Emergency Department (ED) Visits

• A Change Package to Reduce Hospitalizations
  • A Change Package Quick Start Guide
• HSAG Root Cause Analysis (RCA) 5-Whys Worksheet
• HSAG Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Worksheet

Use the Reducing Hospitalizations Quality Improvement Activity (QIA) Monitoring forms in the facility’s Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) meetings to track, monitor, and assist with creating an action plan to reduce and address the following top hospital admissions and ED visit diagnoses:

• Anemia
• Bloodstream Infection (BSI) due to Central venous Catheter 
• Fluid Overload 
• Hyperkalemia 
• Hypertension 
• Vascular Access Complications (Hemorrhage and/or Stenosis) 

• Transitions of Care Toolkit
• New to Dialysis? Hospital Discharge Checklist
• Nursing Home Staff Education: How to Care for Hemodialysis Patients Outside of Dialysis
• Long-Term Care Facility Information for Dialysis Residents
• Post-Hospitalization Checklist
• Sit Down—Don't Stand: Questions About You   

• Monthly Hospitalizations Tracker (Word Document)
• Getting Creative to Break Down Barriers to Reducing Hospitalizations
• Hospital Risk Assessment
• How Dialysis Staff Can Impact Hospitalizations
• Vascular Access Appointment Form
• Communication Tips for Earning a Win
• Days Since Last Bloodstream Infection Poster

• Take Charge of Your Health: Reduce Unnecessary Hospitalizations
• We're Not Being Nosy—We Care! (English/Spanish)
• Play Offense—Avoid Hospitalization
• New to Dialysis? Hospital Discharge Checklist
• Where Should You Go for Medical Care?
• Don't Skip—Know the Facts
• Your CVC: What You Need to Know!

Reference the resources below for information and tips on managing specific dialysis-related medical issues that commonly lead to hospitalizations and emergency room visits:

• Blood Pressure Zone Tool for Dialysis Patients
• Sepsis Prevention Tip Sheet—Use this self-management tool to understand and avoid infections, including sepsis.
• My Potassium Plan
• How to Keep Your Vascular Access Healthy
• Your Fluid Intake Matters!
• Educate Your Dialysis Patients About Anemia
• Patient to Patient: Let's Talk Fluids (English/Spanish)