The Effect of Hospital-to-Home Discharge Interventions on Reducing Unplanned Hospital Readmissions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Unplanned hospital readmissions (UHRs) constitute a persistent health concern worldwide. A high level of UHRs imposes a burden on individuals, their families, and health care system budgets. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of discharge interventions in the transition from hospital to home in the context of reducing UHRs. METHODS: The study design was a meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials. Eight databases were searched. The effect on UHR rates (odds ratio [OR]) of discharge interventions in the transition from hospital to home was calculated at a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) based on meta-regression and meta-analysis of random-effects models. RESULTS: Results showed that discharge interventions were effective in reducing rehospitalizations (effectiveness/OR =1.39; 95% CI, 1.24-1.55). It was furthermore determined that the studies showed heterogeneous characteristics ( P ≤ .001, Q = 50.083, I2 = 44.093; df = 28). According to Duval and Tweedie's trim and fill results, there was no publication bias. Interventions in which telephone communications and hospital visits (OR = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.25-2.16; P < .001) were applied together were effective among patients with cardiovascular diseases (OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.28-2.09; P < .001), and it was found that UHRs were reduced within a period of 90 days (OR = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.16-2.42; P < .001). It was also found that discharge interventions applied to transitions from hospital to home had a diminishing effect on UHRs as the publication dates of the reviewed studies advanced from the past to the present (OR = 0.015; 95% CI, 0.002-0.003; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Supporting and facilitating cooperation between health care professionals and families should be a key focus of discharge interventions.