DESERT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

1. Top 10 Disparities

2. Equity Plan

The hospital's Equity Improvement Plan aims to reduce overall 30-day readmission rates with focus on CHF, AMI, and high-risk cardiopulmonary conditions, while directly addressing the Top 10 disparities related to age, race/ethnicity, payer type, and sex. Interventions are standardized across the care continuum and tailored to support disparity groups with higher-than-expected readmission or mortality rates.
1. Age-Based Disparities (65+, 50–64, 35–49 vs. 18–34)
Older adults experience substantially higher readmission rates. To address this, the hospital will perform universal readmission-risk screening for all patients, with enhanced transition-of-care protocols for patients aged 35 and older. Older adults will receive age-appropriate education, simplified materials, caregiver engagement, medication reconciliation, and earlier discharge planning. All patients in these age groups will have follow-up appointments scheduled prior to discharge and will receive post-discharge follow-up calls within 48–72 hours. These actions increase support, comprehension, and continuity for age groups with higher readmission burdens.
2. Payer-Based Disparities (Medicare and Medicaid vs. Private Insurance)
Medicare and Medicaid patients show elevated readmissions driven by higher comorbidity burden and SDOH barriers. To close these gaps, the hospital will complete standardized SDOH screenings for all publicly insured patients, connecting them to transportation support, food and housing resources, medication access programs, and care navigation. The Meds-to-Beds program has been expanded for CHF, AMI and Stroke patients to eliminate medication delays. Telehealth follow-up options continue to be prioritized for Medicaid and Medicare patients with mobility or access challenges.
3. Race/Ethnicity Disparities (AI/AN, Black, White, Asian vs. Hispanic Reference Group)
All readmissions, and more specifically those with racial and ethnic groups with higher readmission rates will receive targeted interventions including culturally responsive education, teach-back, and proactive interpreter use. The hospital works with community partnerships and community organizations and use community health workers for post-discharge outreach, medication reinforcement, symptom monitoring, and appointment assistance.
4. Sex-Based Mortality Disparity for Pneumonia
Our respiratory team provides bedside consults with basic education on medication use, delivery use (spacer technique, cough assist, and breathing methods) and additional therapeutic recommendations. Spanish-speaking therapists and interpreter iPads are used to ensure equitable understanding for all patients. Education and treatment pathways vary by provider. Our respiratory team will work with our pulmonology group and additional providers in developing a standardized workflow and education to be provided to patients with pulmonary conditions.
5. Cross-Cutting Interventions Supporting All Disparity Groups
Across CHF, AMI, COPD, and pneumonia populations, the hospital will continue to implement core interventions including universal readmission-risk screening, SDOH assessments, Meds-to-Beds access, standardized discharge education using culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, and the scheduling of follow-up appointments before discharge. Pulmonary rehab consults will be ordered for applicable patients to strengthen management of COPD and pneumonia, which commonly overlap with CHF and AMI risks. ED teams currently receive real-time alerts when a potential readmission patient presents, to ensure timely and prompt intervention.
6. Measurable Goals and Monitoring
The hospital aims to reduce the 30-day AMI readmission rate from 21.14% to 13.7% and the HF rate from 25% to 19.8%, achieving the CMS 50th percentile for PY 2028. Performance will be evaluated monthly, with outcomes stratified by age, race/ethnicity, payer, and sex to monitor equity progress. Quarterly reviews of all readmissions and pneumonia mortalities will identify trends and guide targeted improvements. The hospital will monitor annual reductions in rate ratios for all disparity groups with the goal of narrowing gaps each year. We have added a dedicated Chest Pain coordinator, in conjunction with our heart failure NP, and most recently gained back a Cardiothoracic RN navigator to provide additional support and assistance in following all of our cardiac patients both in and out of the hospital setting,

3. Structural Measures

5. Download Equity Measures Report

Click on the link below to download the equity measures report.

6. Looking for Related Reports?

• Hospital Supplier Diversity Plan
• Hospital Fair Billing Policies
• Hospital Profile