Project Red: A checklist for improving transitions

Looking for a simple tool to improve transitions between levels of care? 

The RED Checklist might be just what you’re looking for.

The NIATx Wisconsin Mental Health Readmissions Collaborative Interest Circle Call for May 2017 featured a presentation by Dr. Suzanne Mitchell, MD, MS, of Boston Medical Center (BMC).  Dr. Mitchell gave an overview the  Project Red (Re-Engineered Discharge).  The 12-item RED Checklist has become the foundation of re-engineered discharge at BMC.

The RED process has been found to:

·       Help patients understand their discharge plan

·       Reduce emergency department visits and readmissions

·       Increase patient and caregiver satisfaction with their post-discharge care

Click here to listen to the May 17 recorded webinar.

Download a copy of the Project Red Toolkit.

The 2017 NIATx Wisconsin Mental Health Readmissions Collaborative includes 11 Wisconsin counties that are using the NIATx approach to reduce 30-day hospital readmissions for patients with mental health or substance use disorders.  

The collaborative launched in January with a kick-off meeting that provided NIATx training and an overview of the project goals. Following the kick-off, change teams started work on change projects aimed at improving discharge projects and care transitions.  NIATX coaches support the teams as they work on their projects, and monthly Interest Circle calls feature promising practices, peer networking, and guest speakers.

The NIATx Wisconsin Mental Health Readmissions Collaborative has been funded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services since 2010.