Researchers identified predictors of early readmission among patients hospitalized for complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers conducted a nationwide analysis of more than 8,000 commercially insured adult patients with COPD.
The study found that COPD patients with coexisting congestive heart failure, lung cancer, anxiety, depression or osteoporosis were associated with a higher likelihood of early readmission. Healthcare provider and system factors including prescriptions for bronchodilator inhalers, oral corticosteroids, antibiotics at discharge and an early outpatient follow up after discharge were associated with a lower likelihood of readmission.
More articles on quality:
How to improve validity of hand hygiene observation
Study: Morning handover often misses clinically important issues
12% of hospitals can't tell you if they're using surgical checklists or not