title: Can we predict Acute Medical readmissions using the BOOST tool? A retrospective case note review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Readmissions within 30-days of hospital discharge are a problem. The aim was to determine if the Better Outcomes for Older Adults through Safe Transitions (BOOST) risk assessment tool was applicable within the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients over 65 readmitted were identified retrospectively via a casenote review. BOOST assessment was applied with 1 point for each risk factor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  324 patients were readmitted (mean age 77 years) with a median of 7 days between discharge and readmission. The median BOOST score was 3 (IQR 2-4) with polypharmacy evident in 88% and prior hospitalisation in 70%. The tool correctly predicted 90% of readmissions using two or more risk factors and 99.1% if one risk factor was included.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BOOST assessment tool appears appropriate in predicting readmissions however further analysis is required to determine its precision.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, King's College London, London SE1 8WA.
authors.forename: Geraldine A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Acute Medicine, King's College Hospital Department of Trauma, Emergency and Medicine 4th Floor, Hambleden Wing (North) King's College Hospital Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.affiliation: Acute Medicine, King's College Hospital Department of Trauma, Emergency and Medicine 4th Floor, Hambleden Wing (North) King's College Hospital Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS.
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beddoes
authors.affiliation: Acute Medicine, King's College Hospital Department of Trauma, Emergency and Medicine 4th Floor, Hambleden Wing (North) King's College Hospital Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lyness
authors.affiliation: Acute Medicine, King's College Hospital Department of Trauma, Emergency and Medicine 4th Floor, Hambleden Wing (North) King's College Hospital Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS.
authors.forename: Imogen
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nixon
authors.affiliation: Acute Medicine, King's College Hospital Department of Trauma, Emergency and Medicine 4th Floor, Hambleden Wing (North) King's College Hospital Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Srivastava
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom