Keywords

hospitalization, hospital outcomes, hospital readmissions, utilization review

 

Authors

  1. Lagoe, Ronald J. PhD
  2. Noetscher, Cheryl M. RN, MS
  3. Hohner, Vicki K.
  4. Schmidt, Gene M.

Abstract

Hospital readmissions are an important indicator of the outcomes of care as well as a source of unnecessary health care expenditures. This study focused on development of a uniform algorithm for identification of hospital readmission data. It involved development of a uniform definition of readmissions which could be applied to multiple statewide computer databases. Through this approach, comparable readmit data were generated for use in benchmarking and quality improvement activities.