Risk Factor Assessment of Hospice Patients Readmitted within 7 Days of Acute Care Hospital Discharge

• Published in: Geriatrics (Basel) 2018-01, Vol.3 (1), p.4
• Main Authors: Wilson, Anthony, Martins-Welch, Diana, Williams, Myia, Tortez, Leanne, Kozikowski, Andrzej, Earle, Bridget, Attivissimo, Lori, Rosen, Lisa, Pekmezaris, Renee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: hospice; palliative care; readmission; risk factors
• ISSN: 2308-3417; 2308-3417
• DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics3010004

Factors surrounding readmission rates for hospice patients within seven days are still relatively unknown. The present study specifically investigates the seven-day readmission rate of patients newly discharged to hospice, and the predictive factors associated with readmission for this population. In a retrospective case-control study, we seek to identify potential predictors by comparing the characteristics of patients discharged to hospice and readmitted within one week to patients who were not readmitted. Cases (n = 46) were patients discharged to home hospice and readmitted to the hospital within seven days. Controls (n = 117) were patients discharged to home hospice and not readmitted to the hospital within seven days. Significant risk factors for readmission within seven days were found to be: age ( < 0.01), race ( < 0.001), language ( < 0.001), and insurance ( < 0.001). Further study of these predictors may identify opportunities for interventions that address patient and family concerns that may lead to readmission.