PP06       Title: New Innovations in ED Discharge Planning Date: Thursday, June 19, 2008 Time: 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM Type: POSTER Level: ADVANCED Track: - Sponsor(s): - Speaker(s): Christine Greenwood; Maria E. Seavey; Kathleen M. Walsh With escalating emergency department (ED) lengths of stay (LOS) and ambulance diversion, ED’s nationwide are struggling. To help in overcrowding, the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) “Tiger” team created a 15 week pilot program with Partners Continuing Care (PCC) non-acute facilities to assess ED patients’ level of care and expedite post acute needs. Based on patient presentation, medical findings, plan of care, and insurance coverage, the team developed a direct transfer algorithm to post acute facilities or discharge with home health services. ED case managers played an active role with ED physicians in determining a patient’s level of care and initiating a plan. The PCC liaison rounded with ED case managers twice a day to expedite screens and clinical acceptance. Patients/families also played an active role in deciding discharge options. Results indicate134 ED patients were screened and accepted as direct admission to rehabilitation or skilled nursing facilities, discharged home w/ services, or accepted into hospice. This initiative conservatively estimates a savings of $5,000 per patient or a total of $670,000 in potential admissions appropriately diverted. This initiative has major implications for improving quality patient care and institutional cost savings, and strong support for the efficacy of collaborative teamwork. Objectives: Describe the Partners Continuing Care (PCC) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Emergency Department (ED) Direct Admit Initiative.   Discuss steps in the implementation process of the PCC/MGH Initiative.   List the outcomes of the PCC/MGH Initiative.