Factors That Influence the Readmission Rates
Readmission rates refer to the percentage of patients who are readmitted to a hospital within a certain period after being discharged. Different factors in a healthcare facility can affect the readmission rates, including patient characteristics. Patients who have multiple chronic conditions, low health literacy, limited social support, and poor adherence to medications and treatment plans are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital (Lo et al., 2021). The quality of care that patients receive during their hospital stay and after discharge can also impact readmission rates. Poor communication between healthcare providers, incomplete discharge instructions, and lack of follow-up care can increase the likelihood of readmission. Patients who lack access to primary care, specialty care, and other healthcare services may also be more likely to experience complications after discharge and require readmission to the hospital (Shin et al., 2022). Specific hospital factors can also affect readmission rates. The characteristics of the hospital, such as the size, staffing, and availability of resources, can affect readmission rates. Hospitals with high patient volume, limited resources, and inadequate staffing may have higher readmission rates. On the other hand, social and economic factors can also affect readmission rates. Patients who come from low-income communities, have limited access to transportation, and experience food insecurity may face additional barriers to receiving adequate care after discharge, which can increase the likelihood of readmission (Lo et al., 2021). Patients who lack insurance or have limited coverage may be less likely to receive the care they need after discharge, which can increase the risk of readmission (Shin et al., 2022).
In summary, reducing readmission rates requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the underlying causes of readmissions, including patient factors, quality of care, access to healthcare, hospital factors, socioeconomic factors, and insurance coverage.
References
Lo, Y.-T., Chang, C.-M., Chen, M.-H., Hu, F.-W., & Lu, F.-H. (2021). Factors associated with early 14-day unplanned hospital readmission: a matched case–control study. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06902-6
Shin, D. Y., Chang, J., Ramamonjiarivelo, Z. H., & Medina, M. (2022). Does Geographic Location Affect the Quality of Care? The Difference in Readmission Rates Between the Border and Non-Border Hospitals in Texas. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, Volume 15, 1011–1023. https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s356827