Hospital readmission among older medical patients in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To study the risk factors for hospital readmission among older medical patients in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
1,204 consecutive hospital medical patients aged 70 years and over in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Subjects were interviewed by a research nurse on discharge, and were followed up for six months.


RESULTS
Unplanned hospital readmissions were identified and classified as avoidable or unavoidable. The risk factors for early (within 28 days), recurrent (three or more) and avoidable readmissions were studied by multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
Four hundred and fifty-five patients (37.7%) had at least one readmission in six months; 18%, 6.4%, and 2.9% of subjects had early, recurrent and avoidable readmissions respectively. Recent hospital stay predicted all types of readmissions. Early readmission was predicted by length of stay, Barthel index (assessment of physical and mental function) and unresolved medical problems. Recurrence readmission was predicted by poor family support, residence in a home for the elderly and unresolved medical problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Hospital readmission may be prevented by ensuring adequate length of stay, so that medical problems are resolved before discharge.
Kwok
T
T
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, New Territories Hong Kong. tkwok@cuhk.edu.hk
Lau
E
E
Woo
J
J
Luk
J K
JK
Wong
E
E
Sham
A
A
Lee
S H
SH
D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors