A review of national readmissions data indicates that sepsis is a leading contributor to readmissions. HAP HIIN recognized a need and developed the ExSEPSIS – Exiting with Excellent Care! initiative to develop best practices for preventing a readmission following a sepsis discharge.

In year one of ExSEPSIS – Exiting with Excellent Care! hospitals identified gaps in current practices for readmissions following a sepsis discharge by using:

• ExSEPSIS action tools
• Sepsis Fact Sheets
• The Roadmap for Preventing Readmission Following a Sepsis Discharge

In year two of ExSEPSIS, hospitals targeted:

• Work with the patient and caregiver
• Acute care work towards a successful discharge
• Partnerships in post-acute care

Year three of ExSEPSIS work will focus on:

• Optimizing the discharge process and planning for sepsis survivors
• Continuing to forge partnerships in post-acute care
• Better understanding of readmission trends following a severe sepsis/septic shock discharge
  • Introducing ExSEPSIS ExPRESS pilot for mapping the post-discharge care transitions of the sepsis survivor

Participating hospitals receive quarterly 7- and 30-day all-cause sepsis readmission data and have access to HAP’s Person and Family Engagement Advisory Council, dedicated project advisors, educational webinars, and individual coaching calls.

Case: Patients with severe sepsis or septic shock identified on initial discharge coding (in any position) with a subsequent hospital readmission within 30 days for any cause

Goal: Reduce 7-day and 30-day all-cause, all payor, readmissions following a severe sepsis or septic shock discharge by 6 percent

Physician advisor: Mark Mikkelsen, MD, MSCE 

HAP Contacts

For more information, contact Maggie Miller, sepsis project manager, or Beth Murray, readmissions reduction project manager.