ST. JOSEPH’S MEDICAL CENTER OF STOCKTON
1. Top 10 Disparities
The following table lists the ten largest health equity disparities identified for this reporting period.
Disparities for each hospital equity measure are identified by comparing the rate ratios by stratification groups. Rate ratios are calculated differently for measures with preferred low rates and those with preferred high rates. Rate ratios are calculated after applying the California Health and Human Services Agency's "Data De-Identification Guidelines (DDG)," dated September 23, 2016.
The table below highlights the ten widest health equity disparities identified by hospitals and hospital systems during this reporting period. Measure names have been shortened for display purposes. To view each measure in full, please download the complete Hospital Equity Report using the link below.
| Measure | Stratification | Stratification Group | Stratification Group Rate | Reference Group | Reference Rate | Rate Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Expected Payor | Medicare | 18.0% | Private | 6.3% | 2.80 |
|
2.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Age (excluding maternal measures) | 50 to 64 | 18.7% | 18 to 34 | 6.7% | 2.80 |
|
3.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Age (excluding maternal measures) | 65 and older | 16.8% | 18 to 34 | 6.7% | 2.50 |
|
4.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Expected Payor | Medicaid | 13.8% | Private | 6.3% | 2.20 |
|
5.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Race and/or Ethnicity | Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 21.0% | Asian | 11.0% | 1.90 |
|
6.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Age (excluding maternal measures) | 35 to 49 | 12.1% | 18 to 34 | 6.7% | 1.80 |
|
7.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Race and/or Ethnicity | Black or African American | 17.6% | Asian | 11.0% | 1.60 |
|
8.
HCAI 30-Day readmission NOBH
|
Sex Assigned at Birth | Male | 17.0% | Female | 10.7% | 1.60 |
|
9.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Sex Assigned at Birth | Male | 17.7% | Female | 12.2% | 1.50 |
|
10.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Race and/or Ethnicity | White | 15.2% | Asian | 11.0% | 1.40 |
2. Equity Plan
Objective: To reduce unplanned 30-day hospital readmission rates and narrow the observed disparities across identified patient populations at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Overall Strategy: Enhance patient-centered care, strengthen care coordination, and address social determinants of health (SDOH) for high-risk groups, employing a data-driven, continuous improvement approach.
Cross Departmental Collaboration: Foster strong collaboration between Care Coordination, Nursing, Social Work and Community Health Departments.
Disparity 1 and 4 Plan: Expected Payor Related Readmission Disparities (Medicare and Medicaid VS Private Insurance).
Population Impact: Adults over 65, persons with disabilities, and persons of all ages with state/federal funded healthcare.
Action Plan: Enhance chronic disease management education during hospitalizations for patients with high risk factors and/or complex comorbidities. Increase utilization of clinics, telemedicine, and home health to bridge the gap and ensure a smoother transition to recovery. Use a teach back method for Medicare and Medicaid patients who may be subject to polypharmacy. Work to have a follow up appointment with PCP prior to discharge.
Measureable Objectives: Reduce 30-day all-cause readmissions by 15% over the next 2 years.
Disparity 2, 3 & 6 Plan: Age-Related Readmit Disparities (65+, 50-64, and 35-49 Vs. 18-34).
Population Impact: Adults 35-65+ experiencing higher unplanned readmissions compared to younger patients (18-34).
Action Plan: Enhance chronic disease management education during hospitalization for older patients. Develop age appropriate educational strategies. Work to have a follow up appointment with PCP prior to discharge.
Measurable Objectives: Reduce 30-day all-cause readmissions by 15% over the next 2 years.
Disparity 5, 7 & 10 Plan: Race and/or Ethnicity Readmit Disparities (Mutlracial/multiethnic VS Asian, Black or African American VS Asian and White VS Asian).
Population Impact: Multiracial, Black / African American and White population.
Action Plan: Provide discharge instructions and health education in culturally relevant formats and languages. Address barriers such as housing, food security, and access to medications that disproportionately affect Multiracial, African American and White. Work to have a follow up appointment with PCP prior to discharge.
Measurable Objectives: Reduce 30-day all-cause readmissions by 15% over the next 2 years.
Disparity 8 & 9 Plan: Sex Assigned at Birth Related Readmit Disparities
Population Impact: Males
Action Plan: Provide male-centered health education focusing on medication adherence, lifestyle management, and follow-up care. Strengthen discharge planning with clear, simplified instructions and early outpatient follow-up for high-risk male patients. Work to have a follow up appointment scheduled with PCP prior to discharge.
Measureable Objectives: Reduce 30-day all-cause readmissions by 15% over the next 2 years.
3. Structural Measures
| Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Commitment to Health Equity Structural (HCHE) Measure | Yes/No |
|---|---|
Our hospital system strategic plan identifies priority populations who currently experience health disparities |
Yes |
Our hospital system strategic plan identifies healthcare equity goals and discrete action steps to achieve these goals |
Yes |
Our hospital system strategic plan outlines specific resources that have been dedicated to achieving our equity goals |
Yes |
Our hospital system strategic plan describes our approach for engaging key stakeholders, such as community-based organizations |
Yes |
Our hospital strategic plan identifies healthcare equity goals and discrete action steps to achieve these goals |
Yes |
Our hospital system has training for staff in culturally sensitive collection of demographics and/or social determinant of health information |
Yes |
Our hospital system inputs demographic and/or social determinant of health information collected from patients into structured, interoperable data elements using a certified EHR technology |
Yes |
Our hospital system stratifies key performance indicators by demographic and/or social determinants of health variables to identify equity gaps and includes this information in hospital performance dashboards |
Yes |
Our hospital system participates in local, regional or national quality improvement activities focused on reducing health disparities |
Yes |
Our hospital system senior leadership, including chief executives and the entire hospital board of trustees, annually reviews our strategic plan for achieving health equity |
Yes |
Our hospital system senior leadership, including chief executives and the entire hospital board of trustees, annually reviews key performance indicators stratified by demographic and/or social factors |
Yes |
4. Web Address for Equity Report
5. Download Equity Measures Report
Click on the link below to download the equity measures report.
Click on the link below to download all equity measures reports.