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Recurrent readmissions in medical patients: A prospective study†

  1. Alison M Mudge MB BS (Hons)1,6,*,
  2. Karen Kasper M Nurs L1,
  3. Anne Clair BA (Hons), M Clin Psych2,7,
  4. Helen Redfern MASW3,
  5. Jack J Bell APD4,
  6. Michael A Barras B Pharm1,
  7. Grad Dip Clin Pharm5,
  8. Nancy A Pachana PhD7

Article first published online: 12 OCT 2010

DOI: 10.1002/jhm.811

Issue

Journal of Hospital Medicine

Journal of Hospital Medicine

Volume 6, Issue 2, pages 61–67, February 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mudge, A. M., Kasper, K., Clair, A., Redfern, H., Bell, J. J., Barras, M. A., Dip, G. and Pachana, N. A. (2011), Recurrent readmissions in medical patients: A prospective study. J. Hosp. Med., 6: 61–67. doi: 10.1002/jhm.811

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Internal Medicine and Aged Care, Herston, Queensland, Australia

  2. 2

    Department of Psychology, Herston, Queensland, Australia

  3. 3

    Department of Social Work, Herston, Queensland, Australia

  4. 4

    Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia

  5. 5

    Pharmacy Department, Mater Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

  6. 6

    University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

  7. 7

    University of Queensland School of Psychology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

*Staff specialist, Department of Internal Medicine and Aged Care, 3rd floor, James Mayne Bldg, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield St, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia; Telephone: 07 36360507; Fax: 07 36360272

  1. †

    Disclosure: Nothing to report.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 FEB 2011
  2. Article first published online: 12 OCT 2010
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 17 MAY 2010
  4. Manuscript Revised: 11 MAR 2010
  5. Manuscript Received: 21 JUL 2009

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Keywords:

  • chronic disease;
  • depression;
  • nutritional status;
  • patient readmission

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Hospital readmissions are common and costly. A recent previous hospitalization preceding the index admission is a marker of increased risk of future readmission.

OBJECTIVES:

To identify factors associated with an increased risk of recurrent readmission in medical patients with 2 or more hospitalizations in the past 6 months.

DESIGN:

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING:

Australian teaching hospital acute medical wards, February 2006-February 2007.

PARTICIPANTS:

142 inpatients aged ≥50 years with a previous hospitalization ≤6 months preceding the index admission. Patients from residential care, with terminal illness, or with serious cognitive or language difficulties were excluded.

VARIABLES OF INTEREST:

Demographics, previous hospitalizations, diagnosis, comorbidities and nutritional status were recorded in hospital. Participants were assessed at home within 2 weeks of hospital discharge using validated questionnaires for cognition, literacy, activities of daily living (ADL)/instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) function, depression, anxiety, alcohol use, medication adherence, social support, and financial status.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:

Unplanned readmission to the study hospital within 6 months.

RESULTS:

A total of 55 participants (38.7%) had a further unplanned hospital admission within 6 months. In multivariate analysis, chronic disease (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-9.3, P = 0.002), depressive symptoms (adjusted OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.3-6.8, P = 0.01), and underweight (adjusted OR, 12.7; 95% CI, 2.3-70.7, P = 0.004) were significant predictors of readmission after adjusting for age, length of stay and functional status.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this high-risk patient group, multiple chronic conditions are common and predict increased risk of readmission. Post-hospital interventions should consider targeting nutritional and mood status in this population. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.

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