In a large study of more than 10,000 hospital admissions, unplanned readmission within 30 days was 43 percent more likely for black patients and 24-33 percent more likely for patients on high-risk medications. In a second, smaller study, depression predicted a threefold risk of multiple readmissions, while being underweight raised the risk more than 12-fold. Chronic conditions were a top predictor in both studies.
Readmission also tended to be more common for Medicaid patients. However, operational risk factors, such as discharge on the weekend and discharge to a skilled nursing facility, weren’t risks associated with readmission.
All of the risk factors could be easily identified early in the initial hospitalization. Authors recommended more intensive pre-discharge counseling and efforts to increase mobility while in the hospital. They said complex, multidisciplinary strategies, such as outreach and support programs, have been effective but are costly.
Read the studies in the Journal of Hospital Medicine:
Redefining readmission risk factors for general medicine patients
Recurrent readmissions in medical patients: A prospective study
Read more coverage about readmissions:
– Cigna Starts Program to Reduce Hospital Readmissions for Members
– Hospitals Readmit 10% of Medicaid Patients Within 30 Days
– More Than One-Third of California Inpatients Readmitted Within a Year
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