title: Discharge Hospice Referral and Lower 30-Day All-Cause Readmission in Medicare Beneficiaries Hospitalized for Heart Failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause for hospital readmission. Hospice care may help palliate HF symptoms but its association with 30-day all-cause readmission remains unknown.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 8032 Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for HF in 106 Alabama hospitals (1998-2001), 182 (2%) received discharge hospice referrals. Of the 7850 patients not receiving hospice referrals, 1608 (20%) died within 6 months post discharge (the hospice-eligible group). Propensity scores for hospice referral were estimated for each of the 1790 (182+1608) patients and were used to match 179 hospice-referral patients with 179 hospice-eligible patients who were balanced on 28 baseline characteristics (mean age, 79 years; 58% women; 18% non-white). Overall, 22% (1742/8032) died in 6 months, of whom 8% (134/1742) received hospice referrals. Among the 358 matched patients, 30-day all-cause readmission occurred in 5% and 41% of hospice-referral and hospice-eligible patients, respectively (hazard ratio associated with hospice referral, 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.24). Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for 30-day all-cause readmission associated with hospice referral among the 126 patients who died and 232 patients who survived 30-day post discharge were 0.03 (0.04-0.21) and 0.17 (0.08-0.36), respectively. Although 30-day mortality was higher in the hospice referral group (43% versus 27%), it was similar at 90 days (64% versus 67% among hospice-eligible patients).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A discharge hospice referral was associated with lower 30-day all-cause readmission among hospitalized patients with HF. However, most patients with HF who died within 6 months of hospital discharge did not receive a discharge hospice referral.
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Raya E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kheirbek
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Ross D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Marie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bakitas
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Gregg C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fonarow
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Sridivya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parvataneni
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bearden
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Frank A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Charity J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Marc R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Blackman
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zile
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Kanan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Momanna B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Rodney O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Cynthia J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Love
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Wilbert S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Aronow
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Roseman
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Rich
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.).
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Allman
authors.affiliation: From the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC (R.E.K., R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC (R.E.K., M.R.B.); Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (R.D.F., S.S., M.R.B., A.A.); School of Nursing (M.A.B.) and Departments of Medicine (M.A.B., D.B., M.B.A., R.O.T., C.J.B., A.A.), Biostatistics (C.J.M.), and Epidemiology (J.M.R.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (G.C.F.); Department of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City (S.P.); Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver (F.A.B.); Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC (M.R.Z.); Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (K.P.); Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL (C.J.B.); Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (T.E.L.); Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla (W.S.A.); Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO (M.W.R.); and Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC (R.M.A.). aliahmedmdmph@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006738:Hospices; D006801:Humans; D007342:Insurance Benefits; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010343:Patient Admission; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010359:Patient Readmission; D057216:Propensity Score; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Medicare; heart failure; hospice; readmission