Which of the following is an indicator of a successful care coordination program?

• A. Frequent ED visits
• B. Reduced readmissions
• C. Increased costs
• D. Longer discharge times

Answer: (B)

Reducing readmissions is the strongest signal of a successful care coordination effort because it directly reflects better continuity of care across settings, effective post-discharge follow-up, and accurate medication reconciliation. When these elements work well, patients avoid complications and receive timely support after leaving the hospital, which lowers the chance they’ll need to return.

Frequent ED visits point to gaps in access or care continuity, longer discharge times indicate process inefficiencies, and higher costs can occur during implementation even if outcomes improve. These aren’t as direct or reliable a measure of success as a real drop in readmissions.