A Trial to Reduce Readmissions Using Motivational Interviewing and Interactive Voice Response

Participants in the intervention group received motivational interviewing from a registered nurse who is trained and proficient in this behavioral change modality. In addition, participants were instructed to make a daily toll-free call to an automated interactive voice response (IVR) system provided by Pharos Innovations® (Chicago, IL) for 30 days after discharge from the index admission. On each call patients heard a pre-recorded voice that goes through a series of questions about symptoms and the patient's daily weight. Information from the IVR system was automatically downloaded to a secure Internet site for review by the nurse at each hospital location.