title: A population-based study for 30-d hospital readmissions after acute ischemic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine post-stroke 30-d readmission rate, its predictors, its impact on mortality and to identify potentially preventable causes of post-stroke 30-d readmission in a population-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified all acute ischemic strokes (AIS) using the International Classification of Diseases 9th revision codes (433.x1, 434.xx and 436) via the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP) between January 2007 and December 2011. Acute stroke care in Olmsted County is provided by two medical centers, Saint Marys Hospital and Olmsted Medical Center Hospital. All readmissions to these two hospitals were accounted for this study. Thirty-day readmission data was abstracted through manual chart review. The REP linkage database was used to identify the status (living/dead) of all patients at last follow up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-one (7.6%, 95% CI 5.7%-10.2%) of total 537 AIS patients were readmitted 30-d post-stroke. In a multivariable logistic regression model, discharge to nursing home following index stroke (OR: 0.29, 95% CI 0.08-0.84) was an independent negative predictor of unplanned 30-d readmission. In a subgroup of patients with dementia, being married at time of index stroke was found to be a negative predictor of readmission (OR: 0.10, 95% CI 0.005-0.58). Only 2.8% of the patients had potentially preventable readmissions. Hospital readmission had no significant impact on patient's short-term (three months) or long-term (one or two years) mortality (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-stroke 30-d readmission rate is low in AIS patients from Olmsted County. Further research is needed in regarding discharge checklists, protocols and stroke transitional programs to reduce potentially preventable readmissions.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neurology/Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA.
authors.forename: Manoj K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neurology/Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA.
authors.forename: Alejandro A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rabinstein
authors.affiliation: b Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics/Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA.
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mandrekar
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neurology/Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neurology/Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA.
authors.forename: Kelly D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Flemming
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: cohort; ischemic stroke; mortality; population-based; readmissions; tissue plasminogen activator