We found that a positive effect for hospitals participating in the STAAR initiative was enhanced engagement in efforts to promote greater use of hospice and palliative care as a possible method of reducing unplanned readmissions, the central goal of the STAAR initiative. We used a grounded theory approach using the constant comparative method to generate recurrent and unifying themes. We used data attained from 46 in-depth interviews conducted during 10 hospital site visits using a standard discussion guide and protocol. We conducted a secondary analysis of qualitative data from a study of hospitals that were participating in the State Action on Avoidable Readmissions (STAAR) initiative, a quality improvement collaborative. Therefore, we sought to explore the strategies used by hospitals to increase the use of hospice and palliative care for patients at risk of readmission. Despite evidence that enrollment with hospice services has the potential to reduce hospital readmission rates, previous research has not examined exactly how hospitals may promote the appropriate use of hospice and palliative care for their discharged patients.
