Risk identification has been identified as an essential best practice and the first step to building an organizational foundation for an acute care hospitalization (ACH) reduction program. This article focuses on the importance of identifying those at most risk for rehospitalization and/or emergent care. In an attempt to demonstrate the variation in approaches to ACH reduction and risk identification, the experiences of two home care agencies representing two distinct regions of the United States—California and Pennsylvania—are included. These agencies share risk assessment development/implementation strategies, lessons learned, and outcomes from the implementation of this best practice.
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