Palomar Health
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 | 14.3% | Other | 3.4% | 4.20 |
|
2.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Race and/or Ethnicity | Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 23.4% | Hispanic or Latino | 8.4% | 2.80 |
|
3.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Race and/or Ethnicity | American Indian or Alaska Native | 22.8% | Hispanic or Latino | 8.4% | 2.70 |
|
4.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Expected Payor | Medicaid | 9.0% | Other | 3.4% | 2.60 |
|
5.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Age (excluding maternal measures) | 65 and older | 13.0% | 18 to 34 | 5.2% | 2.50 |
|
6.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Age (excluding maternal measures) | 50 to 64 | 12.8% | 18 to 34 | 5.2% | 2.40 |
|
7.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Race and/or Ethnicity | Multiracial and/or Multiethnic (two or more races) | 23.4% | Hispanic or Latino | 8.4% | 2.00 |
|
8.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Race and/or Ethnicity | Black or African American | 16.7% | Hispanic or Latino | 8.4% | 2.00 |
|
9.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Expected Payor | Private | 6.7% | Other | 3.4% | 2.00 |
|
10.
HCAI 30-Day readmission
|
Age (excluding maternal measures) | 35 to 49 | 8.9% | 18 to 34 | 5.2% | 1.70 |
2. Equity Plan
On 08/21/2025, A team presented the top 10 disparities for Palomar Health, they were readmissions by Age (35 to 49, 50 to 64, 65+ vs 18 to34), Race/Ethnicity (AI/AN, Black, Multiracial, NH/PI vs Hispanic/Latino), Payer (Medicare). Our system's top disparities include recurrent 30-day readmission gaps (Medicare; older age cohorts; and Black/African American vs reference), plus patient safety and access differences. We will apply a systemwide improvement bundle with local tailoring at each hospital. The Equity Committee also will include surgical mortality male and pneumonia female mortality in their review.
Readmission Disparity:
Key actions: Our actions will include education to our providers and nursing staff, which will include working with our Case Management team to develop transitional care bundle(s). These care bundles will include but will not be limited to follow—up instructions by the provider and nurse at discharge, discharge medications provided to the patient before discharge, accurate medication reconciliation to ensure no medication duplications, patient and or family education to include teach—back. Palomar Health will initiate home phone calls to this group of patients within 72 hours to ensure patient understanding of aftercare instructions. The RNs will provide education to the SNFs on continuity of care to ensure that the next level of care is able to facilitate care to avoid a readmission. Palomar Health has SDOH screening and referrals, language—interpreters, and make every effort to provide concordant instructions, and culturally informed patient engagement.
Time frame and Objectives for readmission:
Reduce readmissions in disparity groups by greater than or equal to 20% in 12 months, and narrow the rate ratio gap by greater than or equal to 25% over 24 months
Time Frame and Objectives for Surgical/male and pneumonia /female mortalities:
Stratify PSI metrics by payer/age/race; unit dashboards; escalation simulations; by greater than or equal ≥15% reduction in disparity-linked PSI events
4. 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.