b'The Care Gap is this 7-10-day window of high risk for patients. As we know from clinical and practical experience, this is the time after the ED visit or hospital discharge where patients are not yet fully improved, but must fill new prescriptions, take medications differently, follow a new care plan, and obtain a follow-up appointment. As practicing emergency physicians, we know that many return ED visits and re-hospitalizations are necessary.We also know that many are preventable with reasonable, straightforward interventions. However, our health care system does not readily support or provide such solutions.This is the Care Gap.50%50%50% of hospitalizations of repeat ED visitsof these costs occurred withinoccurred within occur within7.5 days10 days8.5 days after ED discharge after ED discharge after ED dischargeFigure A:MODERATELY COMPLEX CONDITIONS DISCHARGED HOME= % of Post-Acute ED Visits = % of Post-Acute Hospitalizations18%PERCENT OF ALL RETURN VISITS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF DISCHARGE FROM THE ED16% 50% of14% hospitalizations 50% of repeat happen within7.5 days ED visits happen 12% within 10 days10%8%6%4%2%1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30DAYS AFTER DISCHARGED HOMEThe Impact of Not Addressing the GapIn 2018, there were 40.4 ED visits for every 100 persons in an average community.For the Medicare population, that number is 45 visits per 100 persons. 1 Most of these visits The Gap Impactsare not preventable. However, many will either return to the ED unnecessarily or bere-hospitalized because of gaps in care. The effect of these gaps is far-reaching. PatientsIt includes hospitals, health systems, employers, clinicians, and of course, patients. CliniciansThe Impact on Hospitals and Health Systems HospitalsHospitals and health systems recognize four significant benefits by addressing care in the gap: Payors1.Better quality of care across the continuum2.Retained or newly gained market share Employers3.Increased patient satisfaction4.Financial benefits in risk-based modelsUnfortunately, many health systems struggle to effectively connect with the post-acute care system in their community. A report from Deloitte 2quoted a physician executive for a health system: Post-acute care looks like an archipelago of little islands with no bridges.Consumers are at a loss about which island to approach, with poor transportation and communication options. 3Together, we healTogether, we heal 3Together, we heal SCP HEALTHITHE GAP: WHY WE SHOULD CARE'