NEXT BEST HOME Interview with Dr. Josh Luke, CEO of North Kern South Tulare Hospital District and Executive Consultancy
Introduction: In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the collaboration between hospitals and senior living communities plays a crucial role in ensuring seamless transitions for patients. Dr. Josh Luke, a seasoned healthcare executive, CEO of North Kern South Tulare Hospital District, and the mind behind the National Readmission Prevention Collaborative, sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in connecting hospital discharge planners with senior living communities. With a wealth of experience as a hospital CEO, behavioral health hospital CEO, health system executive, and as a prominent podcaster, Dr. Luke brings a unique perspective to the table.
Interview: NEXT BEST HOME: Dr. Josh Luke, what are your thoughts about bridging the gap between hospital discharge planners and senior living communities, and what opportunities do you see for referrals?
Dr. Luke: Hospitals, by nature, prioritize maximizing payments and reimbursements for Medicare, often necessitating swift patient discharges. Unfortunately, assisted living is seldom integrated into discharge plans. The hospital’s primary focus is on efficient exits rather than long-term care solutions.
NEXT BEST HOME: That’s a candid insight. How do you view hospitals referring to placement agencies?
Dr. Luke: Discharged patients need advocates independent of financial incentives. Hospitals lack the resources to vet options comprehensively. Families require time to evaluate choices, and here’s where a conduit is crucial—an unbiased advocate who isn’t financially motivated for placements, a characteristic often lacking in local placement agencies.
NEXT BEST HOME: What about hospital referrals to post-acute facilities?
Dr. Luke: Referrals to post-acute facilities are clinical and insurance-based. Systems receiving federal or state dollars usually prohibit referral payments.
NEXT BEST HOME: Are there any direct referrals made to assisted livings?
Dr. Luke: Occasionally, yes. I’ve made referrals to care homes, with the hospital covering short-term costs when it made financial sense and medical needs were minimal. However, selective referrals are avoided for ethical reasons.
NEXT BEST HOME: Here is the BILLION DOLLAR QUESTION…. If senior living residences want direct referrals from hospitals, what’s the process?
Dr. Luke: Changing the behavior of discharge planners is challenging. Being identified as a preferred provider is key, and here’s the BILLION-DOLLAR ANSWER: become a Certified Readmission Prevention Fellow. This certification, proven successful in home care and placement agencies, distinguishes you and your organization, positioning you as a preferred provider in the community.
NEXT BEST HOME: How does certification set providers apart, and how does it provide more access to organizations?
Dr. Luke: Certification sets providers apart by demonstrating a deep understanding of readmission issues. It offers a blueprint for engaging with board members, case management, and staff, fostering better communication within established guidelines. While home care and placement companies have embraced this approach, assisted living has been slower to adopt.
In conclusion, Dr. Josh Luke’s insights provide a valuable roadmap for senior living communities seeking stronger connections with hospitals, emphasizing the importance of strategic certifications in standing out and establishing trust in the healthcare landscape.
Access the certifications here: https://nationalreadmissionprevention.com/readmission-tools/
