title: Readmittance rates within seven days are preferable in quality measuring of emergency departments.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this article was to qualify and test the recommendations of a national Danish report. We conducted an investigation on the readmittance rate as well as reasons for readmittance in a patient cohort defined through the process of internal audit at the Emergency Department at Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective, descriptive study of admitted patients in November 2014, including a total of 1,440 patients. Data and parameters were obtained from electronic patient records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 162 patients were readmitted within 30 days from their initial admission (11% of the cohort). Of this group, 139 (86%) readmittances were unpreventable or planned. Readmissions caused by missed diagnosis or insufficient treatment accounted for 8% and 6%, respectively. The median time until readmission in these cases were two and four and a half days, respectively. The median time to readmission for the unpreventable readmissions ranged from 13 to 18.5 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In terms of patient safety, our data support a seven-day observation period for readmission rates when measuring or monitoring quality of care in emergency departments.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  none.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  none.
authors: jacob.schwartz@dadlnet.dk.
authors: Mathias Gierløff
authors: MG
authors: Heitmann
authors: Mir
authors: M
authors: Sarwary
authors: Jesper Juul
authors: JJ
authors: Larsen
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Tingleff
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Hansen-Schwartz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000639:trends; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000639:trends*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies