title: Preventing avoidable rehospitalizations by understanding the characteristics of "frequent fliers".
abstract: This project used chart review to evaluate 22 patients labeled as "frequent fliers," each with 4 to 8 readmissions over a 6-month period at a Michigan community hospital. The goal was to identify whether the 4 key elements identified by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement for reducing rehospitalization had been put into place for these patients. It found that a clear discharge plan was only documented for 15 (68%) of the 22 patients. Better coordinated care is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Patient Safety & Quality, Battle Creek Health System, Battle Creek, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: Huey-Ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.forename: Nancy D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Vecchioni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors