Hospital readmissions of elderly patients hospitalized with pneumonia.
BACKGROUND
Readmission is an important outcome that is common among elderly patients surviving hospitalization. In this study we describe readmissions and examine potential predictors of readmission among elderly individuals with an index admission for pneumonia.


METHODS
Retrospective database analysis.


METHODS
Tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
Eight hundred and ninety-two patients (> or = 65 years) were discharged with a diagnosis of pneumonia.


METHODS
Readmissions and potentially relevant data were retrieved from the hospital's administrative database.


RESULTS
Readmissions were experienced by 410 (46.0%) patients. There were 739 readmissions (.83/patient). Male gender, a longer index length of stay, and cancer comorbidity provided a weak but significant prediction of readmission.


CONCLUSIONS
Readmissions were common following index admission for pneumonia. Data readily available in a hospital administrative database were not particularly predictive of readmission. Other, preferably modifiable variables will have to be identified if this important outcome is to be addressed.
Bohannon
Richard W
RW
Institute of Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour St, PO Box 5037, Hartford, CT 06102-5037, USA. rbohann@harthosp.org
Maljanian
Rose D
RD
D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology