profession

Nonsurgical patients have higher readmission rate

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 19, 2012

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Patients hospitalized for nonsurgical treatment of chronic conditions are nearly twice as likely to be readmitted as patients hospitalized for surgery.

Nearly 23% of patients with chronic conditions who get nonsurgical care in the hospital are readmitted within a month, compared with about 13% of patients with chronic diseases who undergo surgery.

Patients covered by Medicaid are likeliest to be readmitted for chronic conditions. Medicare patients are rehospitalized at a higher rate for acute conditions, said an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality data brief published in February (link). Researchers analyzed 2008 data from 15 states.

Privately insured adults were the least likely to be readmitted, with rehospitalization rates ranging from 6.1% to 8.4%, depending on age and whether the admission was for an acute problem or a chronic condition.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/03/19/prbf0319.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn