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Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center (OMC), and United Way of Olmsted County are pleased to announce a partnership that has resulted in the development of a new on-line database called the Discharge Planning Initiative (DPI). In real time, this tool assists acute and post-acute care facilities by expediting communications and patient placement. 

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ABOUT DPI

The DPI tool uses the latest web-based technology to create a new level of efficiency within the discharge planning process.Our expectation is that this tool becomes the primary communication device for discharge planners and county social workers for available bed types within each post acute care facility.

Discharge planners and social workers can use the DPI tool as their one stop in locating an appropriate facility throughout the day thus reducing the number of calls made to find available beds. Care facilities see reduced number of calls, greater visibility of available services, empty beds filled more quickly, and increased number of referrals.

The DPI process is being implemented within the five state region: Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The initial beta test was completed by a number of social workers and care facilities. Great enthusiasm characterizes their response.

In order for the DPI process to generate the expected benefits for hospitals, county community services and post-acute care facilities, each care facility is expected to implement a process of updating the on-line tool in “real time,” i.e. whenever beds become available/unavailable or services change or on a weekly basis.

United Way of Olmsted County manages and maintains the DPI on-line tool for the partnership, as well as providing on-line training resources. Implementation begins May 2009. There is an annual shared maintenance fee of $190 per facility. Reduced fees available for organizations with 10 or more facilities.

Mayo Clinic and OMC are excited about this new tool’s ability to ensure an efficient means by which communications can be improved with care facilities. We are confident you will find the new discharge planning process a very positive change for your organization as well.

Please contact United Way at 507-287-2000 or dpi@uwolmsted.org with questions or comments.