Minnesota hospitals are testing ways to reduce return trips

[Star Tribune, October 12, 2012] Until now, hospitals have had little incentive to keep patients away. But last week, the federal Medicare program started imposing financial penalties on hospitals that, in its view, have too many repeat customers.

And that has shifted attention onto what hospitals can do differently to help patients after they go home.

"What used to happen is we would call patients when they left the hospital," said Karen Tomes, director of Care Management at Allina hospitals. To read the entire story, go to startribune.com.