May 19
2025
Streamlining Hospital Discharge with Technology: A Strategic Imperative for Reducing Readmissions
By Judit Sharon, CEO and founder, OnPage Corporation.
For healthcare providers, IT professionals, and hospital executives, the discharge process is a critical juncture in a patient’s care journey. When executed effectively, it ensures continuity of care, reinforces patient understanding, and promotes recovery. When done poorly, it can trigger any number of adverse outcomes—from medication mismanagement and missed follow-ups to costly, avoidable readmissions.
As value-based care models continue to shift incentives toward improved outcomes and lower costs, hospital discharge processes need to improve. Fortunately, reducing readmissions is an achievable goal—and technology can play a pivotal role in making it happen. By modernizing communication, increasing care team collaboration, and giving patients direct access to support after leaving the hospital, healthcare organizations can create a safer, more connected discharge experience.
The Consequences of Inefficient Discharge
Every discharge is a high-stakes handoff. Patients move from a tightly managed hospital environment to home or another care setting where oversight is minimal and resources may be limited. Without clear instructions, seamless coordination, and easy access to care providers, many patients fall through the cracks.
This breakdown in care continuity has measurable consequences. Nearly one in five Medicare patients is readmitted within 30 days because of issues that could have been prevented with better discharge planning or faster follow-up. These readmissions not only impact patient outcomes but also result in financial penalties under CMS’s Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP).
For administrators, this isn’t just a clinical problem—it’s a bottom-line issue. Beyond reimbursement losses, readmissions can damage hospital ratings, increase workload for clinical staff, and lower patient satisfaction scores. Addressing the root causes of readmissions is no longer optional; it’s a strategic priority.