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In February 2009, we reviewed a report on a standardized discharge intervention that lowered the incidence of rehospitalization (JW Hosp Med Feb 2 2009). Now, another study clearly demonstrates the extent of the bounce-back admissions problem.
An analysis of 15 months (2003–2004) of Medicare beneficiary data revealed that 20% of older hospitalized patients were readmitted within 30 days, 34% returned within 90 days, 45% returned within 180 days, and 56% returned within 1 year. Researchers found no charges for outpatient physician visits for half the patients who were rehospitalized within 30 days (after medical discharge to the community).
Diseases associated with the highest 30-day rehospitalization rates were congestive heart failure (27%),…