Of the five most common diagnoses that cause hospital readmissions, most are potential complications of chronic conditions, according to a study in the British Medical Journal.
Researchers analyzed nearly 11,000 adult discharges from a Boston medical center over one year. Of the 22.3 percent of patients readmitted within 30 days, 8 percent, or nearly 860, were potentially avoidable readmissions. Infection, neoplasm, heart failure, gastrointestinal disorder and liver disorder were the most common diagnoses following a readmission within 30 days of discharge.
According to the study, patients with comorbid heart failure, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation or chronic kidney disease were most at risk for being admitted for heart failure. Overall, patients with neoplasm, heart failure and chronic kidney disease were at a higher risk for readmission than patients without these comorbidities.
The study concluded readmission diagnoses are often the result of complications from underlying comorbidities, and strategies for reducing readmissions should focus on managing chronic comorbidities.