For the physician department the chief medical

For the Physician Department, the Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Director will serve
as chair and lead physician practice initiative for the scheduling of follow-up appointments prior
to patient discharge in efforts to improve the 30-day mortality rates in pneumonia patients post-
hospitalization. In efforts to promote a multidisciplinary approach, nurse educators, nurse
managers, clinical nurse specialists, and case management will also participate in the committee
to develop the protocol. Using specialists as consultants, the committee will develop a care set
for the discharge planning pathway in efforts to improve patient outcomes and reduce the
mortality rate of pneumonia patients 30-days post hospitalization. The care set will become a part
of the discharge paperwork and requires the physicians to enter information about follow-up
appointments into the electronic medical record. Once the discharge paperwork has been printed,
the nurse is required to emphasize the follow-up appointment information and provide patient
education expressing the importance of attending follow-up appointment. In efforts to be
successful, training, education, and reinforcement will be implemented. Internal emails will be

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sent to all physicians and staff members about the new protocol. Handouts will be provided
explaining how to set up patient follow-up appointments prior to discharge. In-service training
with the IT department will be provided to show physicians how to electronically enter follow-up
appointments. Physicians, as well as nurses, will be provided with simulation training on the use
of electronically entering follow-up appointments. There will also be ongoing education
continually provided to staff with updates as needed.