Case Study: University Medical Center (UMC) cuts 30‑day high‑risk Medicaid readmissions by 34% with Cerner Readmission Prevention and Acute Case Management

UMC sees fewer Medicaid patients readmitted after adopting Cerner’s Readmission Prevention and Acute Case Management solutions

University Medical Center (UMC) in Lubbock, Texas, a 437‑bed nonprofit academic hospital, faced high 15‑ and 30‑day readmission rates among high‑risk Medicaid patients and partnered with Texas Health and Human Services to tackle the problem.

UMC implemented Cerner’s Readmission Prevention fully integrated with Acute Case Management and used transition coaches to support patients after discharge. In three months (May–July 2015) 30‑day readmissions for high‑risk Medicaid patients fell 34.6% (from 26.98% to 17.64%), 15‑day readmissions stabilized at 18.08% (Sept 2015–Aug 2016), completed discharge documentation rose 57% for moderate‑to‑high‑risk patients, coaches saved an estimated 2–3 hours per day, and the system plans to expand the program to more Medicaid coaches and Medicare patients.

UMC

Christi Cargill

Director of Case Management