Discharge summaries: The key to improving physician communication, reducing readmissions

Traditionally, readmissions are considered a problem for hospitals because hospitals receive the brunt of the consequences in the form of financial penalties. Going forward, readmissions are going to be an issue for physicians more and more. The major force behind this change is the Affordable Care Act, according to Ann Whitehead, the vice president of risk management and patient safety of the Cooperative of American Physicians’ CAPAssurance program.