Understanding readmissions: An in-depth review of 50 patients readmitted back to an acute hospital within 30 days

• Published in: European geriatric medicine 2013-02, Vol.4 (1), p.25-27
• Main Authors: Conroy, S.P, Dowsing, T, Reid, J, Hsu, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Internal Medicine
• ISSN: 1878-7649
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurger.2012.02.007

Abstract Background Readmissions back into an acute hospital are attracting greater interest as a marker of disconnect between primary, secondary and social care. Objective To develop an in-depth understanding of the reasons contributing towards short-term readmissions in older people, and identifying potential interventions. Design In-depth analysis of 50 patients readmitted back into an acute hospital within 30 days; thematic analysis. Setting A large acute teaching hospital in the East Midlands, UK. Subjects People aged 70 years or older readmitted within 30 days from any speciality into the Acute Medical Unit. Methods Simple descriptive statistics were used to describe the nature of the sample examined, and thematic analysis was undertaken to summarise the main causes underpinning the readmission. Results Fifty patients with a mean age 82.2 years, 46% male, 9% from their own home, 50% with cognitive impairment, mean 5.2 co-morbidities, mean 6.5 medications and median Rockwoood frailty score 5. Sixty-four percent of the readmissions were related to the index admission, the majority medical in nature (69%) of which 86% were potentially preventable. Conclusions Most short-term readmissions to an acute hospital are driven by medical issues, which might be addressed by comprehensive assessment during the index admission and early follow-up.