title: The impact of hospital utilization on patient readmission rate.
abstract: We investigate the issue of patient readmission at a large academic hospital in the U.S. Specifically, we look for evidence that patients discharged when post-operative unit utilization is high are more likely to be readmitted. After examining data from 7,800 surgeries performed in 2007, we conclude that patients who are discharged from a highly utilized post-operative unit are more likely to be readmitted within 72 h. Each additional bed utilized at time of discharge increases the odds of readmission on average by 0.35% (Odds Ratio = 1.008, 95% CI [1.003, 1.012]). We propose that this effect is due to an increased discharge rate when the unit is highly utilized.
authors: RH Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Anderson
authors: Bruce
authors: B
authors: Golden
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Jank
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Wasil
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D044469:Racial Groups; D012737:Sex Factors