In a retrospective chart review, the quality of care given 531
hospitalized veterans during an index admission was examined to determine
whether patient characteristics or aspects of treatment differed between
243 patients readmitted within 30 days of discharge and a control group of
288 patients not readmitted for at least six months. The strongest
predictor of early readmission was a greater number of previous admissions.
Patient instability in the five days before discharge also predicted early
readmission. These results may help identify patients at higher risk of
early rehospitalization. Ensuring that patients with higher rates of
rehospitalization are stable before discharge may help reduce early
readmission.
Abstract Teaser