The incidence of adverse events at rehabilitation hospitals is similar to that in acute-care hospitals, according to a study conducted by the HHS' Office of the Inspector General.
Researchers reviewed a nationally representative sample of 417 Medicare beneficiaries discharged from rehabilitation hospitals. They estimated adverse events' national incidence rate, preventability and costs.
Here are five insights:
1. Around 29 percent of Medicare beneficiaries experience adverse or temporary harm events during their stay at rehabilitation hospitals.
2. The harm rate is similar to that of acute-care hospitals (27 percent) and skilled nursing facilities (33 percent).
3. Additionally, physician reviews showed 46 percent of the adverse events were "clearly or likely" preventable.
4. Nearly one-quarter of patients who experienced adverse events at rehabilitation hospitals were transferred to an acute-care hospital.
5. The transfer to the acute-care setting costs Medicare approximately $7.7 million per month.