As seniors are more likely to endure an acute medical event , the care they receive for them should be remodeled appropriately . Traditional practice for these events is to call 911 , proceed to the emergency department ( ER ) and be admitted to hospital . However , for seniors this process can often result in worse health outcomes and quality of care while invoking high costs . Older adults are more likely to the ED where they are more susceptible to hospital - acquired infections , delirium , and functional decline , which in turn may extend their stays and disposition to skilled nursing facilities ( SNFs ) . In addition , the hospital environment can be overwhelming , complicated and inhospitable , with older adults often enduring lack of sleep , privacy and schedules with which they are unfamiliar . Finally , cost is also a significant factor . Even with hospital ##ization , the minimum cost of hospital admission is $ 1340 , followed by copayments and 20 percent coinsurance for ED services and observation stays . Conversely , acute care provided in the home or SNF - based programs offer a viable alternative to the hospital for seniors . In these environments the quality of care , along with outcomes and costs are often improved . We intend to share our lessons learned and develop resources to drive scale and sustainability of these important innovations in health services delivery. To this end , the West Health Institute has been working with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement ( IHI ) to remodel the acute medical care seniors receive . Following investigation into five hospital programs , key model features related to operations , reimbursement , and obstacles were compiled . The acute unplanned event Learning and Action Network ( LAN ) was then formed with six Next Generation Accountable Care Organizations ( NGACOs ) developing home and community - based alternatives to offer seniors when they experience acute events . There are three aims developed to support the process . A decrease in the percentage of ED visits ; a decrease in the percentage of hospital admissions following an ED visit ; and the implementation of a program whose cost to operate is directionally neutral or positive . The LAN has established three primary drivers towards the aims , which include aligning incentives within health systems , establishing alternatives to ED admissions and engaging patients and caregivers . In addition , the organizations will use IHI ’s rapid cycle methodology “ Plan - Do - Study - Act ” ( PDSA ) cycles to test their initiatives . The findings will then be compiled at the conclusion of the LAN in December .
As seniors are more likely to endure an acute medical event , the care they receive for them should be remodeled appropriately . Traditional practice for these events is to call 911 , proceed to the emergency department ( ER ) and be admitted to hospital . However , for seniors this process can often result in worse health outcomes and quality of care while invoking high costs . Older adults are more likely to the ED where they are more susceptible to hospital - acquired infections , delirium , and functional decline , which in turn may extend their stays and disposition to skilled nursing facilities ( SNFs ) . In addition , the hospital environment can be overwhelming , complicated and inhospitable , with older adults often enduring lack of sleep , privacy and schedules with which they are unfamiliar . Finally , cost is also a significant factor . Even with hospital ##ization , the minimum cost of hospital admission is $ 1340 , followed by copayments and 20 percent coinsurance for ED services and observation stays . Conversely , acute care provided in the home or SNF - based programs offer a viable alternative to the hospital for seniors . In these environments the quality of care , along with outcomes and costs are often improved . To this end , the West Health Institute has been working with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement ( IHI ) to remodel the acute medical care seniors receive . Following investigation into five hospital programs , key model features related to operations , reimbursement , and obstacles were compiled . The acute unplanned event Learning and Action Network ( LAN ) was then formed with six Next Generation Accountable Care Organizations ( NGACOs ) developing home and community - based alternatives to offer seniors when they experience acute events . There are three aims developed to support the process . A decrease in the percentage of ED visits ; a decrease in the percentage of hospital admissions following an ED visit ; and the implementation of a program whose cost to operate is directionally neutral or positive . The LAN has established three primary drivers towards the aims , which include aligning incentives within health systems , establishing alternatives to ED admissions and engaging patients and caregivers . In addition , the organizations will use IHI ’s rapid cycle methodology “ Plan - Do - Study - Act ” ( PDSA ) cycles to test their initiatives . The findings will then be compiled at the conclusion of the LAN in December .