Review of a hospital preadmission program: applying the principles of continuous quality improvement.

The importance of hospital preadmission programs is increasing in light of the trend toward shorter lengths of stay. New processes are required to prepare patients for same-day admission, to initiate discharge planning at the earliest possible opportunity and to provide education to patients for which there is now less time during hospitalization. This article presents the process and outcomes of one hospital's review of its preadmission program.