Scientific Reports (Oct 2021)

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of preventable hospital readmissions within 30 days

  • Elsemieke A. I. M. Meurs,
  • Carl E. H. Siegert,
  • Elien Uitvlugt,
  • Najla El Morabet,
  • Ruth J. Stoffels,
  • Dirk W. Schölvinck,
  • Laura F. Taverne,
  • Pim B. J. E. Hulshof,
  • Hilde J. S. ten Horn,
  • Philou C. W. Noordman,
  • Josien van Es,
  • Nicky van der Heijde,
  • Meike H. van der Ree,
  • Maurice A. A. J. van den Bosch,
  • Fatma Karapinar-Çarkit

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-99250-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Knowledge regarding preventable hospital readmissions is scarce. Our aim was to compare the clinical characteristics of potentially preventable readmissions (PPRs) with non-PPRs. Additionally, we aimed to identify risk factors for PPRs. Our study included readmissions within 30 days after discharge from 1 of 7 hospital departments. Preventability was assessed by multidisciplinary meetings. Characteristics of the readmissions were collected and 23 risk factors were analyzed. Of the 1120 readmissions, 125 (11%) were PPRs. PPRs occurred equally among different departments (p = 0.21). 29.6% of PPRs were readmitted by a practitioner of a different medical specialty than the initial admission (IA) specialist. The PPR group had more readmissions within 7 days (PPR 54% vs. non-PPR 44%, p = 0.03). The median LOS was 1 day longer for PPRs (p = 0.16). Factors associated with PPR were higher age (p = 0.004), higher socio-economic status (p = 0.049), fewer prior hospital admissions (p = 0.004), and no outpatient visit prior to readmission (p = 0.025). This study found that PPRs can occur at any department in the hospital. There is not a single type of patient that can easily be pinpointed to be at risk of a PPR, probably due to the multifactorial nature of PPRs.