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Readmission reduction — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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HardEthics, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, Systems-Based PracticeReadmission reductionUSMLE Step 3

A heart-failure clinic finds that many 30-day readmissions follow discharge without weight instructions, early follow-up, or medication reconciliation. Which improvement is best?

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Correct answer: A — Use discharge reconciliation, patient education, early follow-up, and escalation instructions

A structured discharge process addresses the identified transitional-care failures: medications, self-monitoring, timely follow-up, and contingency instructions. The other choices omit core failure points.

Reference: AHRQ, TeamSTEPPS: Handoff: https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/communication/tools/handoff.html