title: Analyzing hospital readmissions using statewide discharge databases.
abstract: Hospital readmissions are an important indicator of the outcomes of care as well as a source of unnecessary health care expenditures. This study focused on development of a uniform algorithm for identification of hospital readmission data. It involved development of a uniform definition of readmissions which could be applied to multiple statewide computer databases. Through this approach, comparable readmit data were generated for use in benchmarking and quality improvement activities.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Executive Council Syracuse, NY, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lagoe
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Noetscher
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Hohner
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D002140:California; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D009518:New York; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014861:Washington