Functional Status Is Associated With 30-Day Potentially Preventable Hospital Readmissions After Inpatient Rehabilitation Among Aged Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries

Addie Middleton, James E. Graham, Kenneth J. Ottenbacher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the association between patients’ functional status at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and 30-day potentially preventable hospital readmissions. A secondary objective was to examine the conditions resulting in these potentially preventable readmissions. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation facilities submitting claims to Medicare. Participants: National cohort (N=371,846) of inpatient rehabilitation discharges among aged Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in 2013 to 2014. The average age was 79.1±7.6 years. Most were women (59.7%) and white (84.5%). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: (1) Observed rates and adjusted odds of 30-day potentially preventable hospital readmissions after inpatient rehabilitation and (2) primary diagnoses for readmissions. Results: The overall rate of any 30-day hospital readmission after inpatient rehabilitation was 12.4% (n=46,265), and the overall rate of potentially preventable readmissions was 5.0% (n=18,477). Functional independence was associated with lower observed rates and adjusted odds ratios for potentially preventable readmissions. Observed rates for the highest versus lowest quartiles within each functional domain were as follows: self-care: 3.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3–3.5) versus 6.9% (95% CI, 6.7–7.1), mobility: 3.3% (95% CI, 3.2–3.4) versus 7.2% (95% CI, 7.0–7.4), and cognition: 3.5% (95% CI, 3.4–3.6) versus 6.2% (95% CI, 6.0–6.4), respectively. Similarly, adjusted odds ratios were as follows: self-care:.70 (95% CI,.67–.74), mobility:.64 (95% CI,.61–.68), and cognition:.84 (95% CI,.80–.89). Infection-related conditions (44.1%) were the most common readmission diagnoses followed by inadequate management of chronic conditions (31.2%) and inadequate management of other unplanned events (24.7%). Conclusions: Functional status at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation was associated with 30-day potentially preventable readmissions in our sample of aged Medicare beneficiaries. This information may help identify at-risk patients. Future research is needed to determine whether follow-up programs focused on improving functional independence will reduce readmission rates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1067-1076
Number of pages10
JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume99
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2018

Keywords

  • Mobility limitation
  • Patient readmission
  • Rehabilitation
  • Self care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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