Research result from Johns Hopkins reveals that three in 10 patients undergoing a kidney transplant are readmitted within 30 days of discharge.
Researchers examined data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, Medicare and the United States Renal Data System, which includes data on more than 32,000 patients who received kidney transplants in U.S. hospitals from January 2000 through December 2005.
In addition to discovering a 31 percent readmission rate, the researchers also found the percent of patients returning varied by hospital, from 18 percent to nearly 50 percent, a variation that could not be accounted for by conventional issues of center volume or demographics.
The study author concluded that transplant centers with higher rates of readmissions can adopt strategies at centers with lower rates. These may include more frequent outpatient visits and additional opportunities to communicate with clinicians via email or the telephone.
Researchers examined data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, Medicare and the United States Renal Data System, which includes data on more than 32,000 patients who received kidney transplants in U.S. hospitals from January 2000 through December 2005.
In addition to discovering a 31 percent readmission rate, the researchers also found the percent of patients returning varied by hospital, from 18 percent to nearly 50 percent, a variation that could not be accounted for by conventional issues of center volume or demographics.
The study author concluded that transplant centers with higher rates of readmissions can adopt strategies at centers with lower rates. These may include more frequent outpatient visits and additional opportunities to communicate with clinicians via email or the telephone.
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