TX hospital partners with pre-med students to reduce chronic care readmissions

A new care coordination program is yielding positive results for patients with chronic conditions in Texas, according to the Standard-Times. Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo's initiative seeks to reduce emergency department readmissions among these patients by assigning  them a nurse, health coach and social worker for weekly check-ins. "Typically [readmissions are] a social issue," said Irv Zeitler, Shannon's chief medical officer. "They don't have transportation, they don't have finances, don't have family support. The health coaches are encouraging these patients to take their medications correctly." As part of the program, Shannon partnered with Angelo State University, giving pre-med students a chance to get experience caring for chronically ill patients, according to the Standard-Times. Article