Key result
A one-mile decrease in hospital distance is linked to ~3 more shared admissions.
Why the study?
The association between decreasing distance between hospitals and the number of shared patients with admissions and readmissions at different hospitals was not well characterized.
Is decreasing distance between hospitals associated with a higher number of shared patients?
Cross-Sectional (n=596,772)
Yes
Is decreasing distance between hospitals associated with a higher number of shared patients?
Mean Difference: 3.05 (95% CI 3.02–3.07)
Closer proximity between hospitals is significantly associated with higher volumes of shared patient admissions, though with wide variability between states.
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Geographic factors may shape interhospital patient flows; leaves open whether distance interventions affect coordination or outcomes.
Turbow et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Hospital readmission (n=596,772). Decreased distance between hospitals vs. Greater distance between hospitals was evaluated on Number of shared admissions (MD 3.05, 95% CI 3.02-3.07). A one-mile decrease in distance between two hospitals was associated with an average of 3.05 (95% CI 3.02-3.07) more shared admissions.
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