Risk Factors for All-Cause Rehospitalization Among Medicare Recipients with Heart Failure Receiving Telehomecare

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential risk factors associated with rehospitalization among Medicare recipients with heart failure (HF) receiving telehomecare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a nonexperimental, cross-sectional secondary data analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) mandated assessment called the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS)-C, provided by a large home care company. A total of 526 patients who received telehomecare from January 1, 2011 to August 31, 2013 were included in the analyses, which used multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The overall rate of rehospitalization was 36% while patients were receiving telehomecare. Moderately frail health status (p = 0.01), the presence of severe pain (p = 0.01), the presence of dermatologic problems (p = 0.03), and independence in dressing one's lower body (compared to slightly dependent [p = 0.01] or mostly dependent patient groups [p = 0.02]) were identified as risk factors for rehospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors identified from this study may be used to drive more effective telehomecare placements, and referrals for additional services among telehomecare patients with HF.