Does Scheduling Discharge Appointments Affect Readmissions?

A post–hospital discharge appointment service promoted timely primary care provider follow-up.

Hospital discharge represents a vulnerable time for patients, and expedited follow-up with a primary care physician (PCP) might affect outcomes. Using a retrospective cohort study design, investigators compared the effects of using a postdischarge appointment service (PDAS; scheduled rapid outpatient follow-up appointments requested by the inpatient team) in 17,500 medical inpatients discharged to home from a large tertiary care hospital in Boston. PDAS was requested in half of patient discharges.

When the PDAS was used — compared with when it was not used —more patients received PCP follow-up within 7 days (60% vs. 29%), and fewer patients were readmitted within 30 days (14.7% vs. 16.7%) or had emergency department (ED) visits within 30 day…

Reviewing Authors

Danica Rockney, MD

Daniel D. Dressler, MD, MSc, SFHM, FACP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill; Elsevier

Editorial BoardsMedical Clinics of North America; Caribbean Medical Journal International Advisory Panel (2021–2026)

Daniel D. Dressler, MD, MSc, SFHM, FACP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill; Elsevier

Editorial BoardsMedical Clinics of North America; Caribbean Medical Journal International Advisory Panel (2021–2026)

Does Scheduling Discharge Appointments Affect Readmissions?

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Reviewing Authors