Researchers have determined several characteristics that make patients more likely to be readmitted for heart failure, according to a study published in Medical Care Research and Review.
Analyzing data from 14 states that participate in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, researchers determined that congestive heart failure patients with the strongest likelihood of readmission were:
1. Discharged against medical advice
2. Covered by Medicaid
3. Had more severe loss of function and certain comorbidities such as drug abuse, renal failure or psychoses
High readmission rates for Medicaid patients suggest that state and federal governments should target these populations for better care coordination to reduce readmissions and healthcare costs, according to study authors.
Analyzing data from 14 states that participate in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, researchers determined that congestive heart failure patients with the strongest likelihood of readmission were:
1. Discharged against medical advice
2. Covered by Medicaid
3. Had more severe loss of function and certain comorbidities such as drug abuse, renal failure or psychoses
High readmission rates for Medicaid patients suggest that state and federal governments should target these populations for better care coordination to reduce readmissions and healthcare costs, according to study authors.
More Articles on Readmissions:
3 Challenges in Managing Quality Measure Information
3 Must-Haves to Reduce Hospital Heart Attack Readmission Rates
Advocate Points to Reduced Readmissions as Result of ACO