A 7-factor prediction model identified 5.1% of general medicine patients with a score ≥25 who had a ~30% risk of 30-day hospital readmission, with fair discrimination (c-statistic 0.61-0.65).
Cohort (n=10,946)
Yes
A simple 7-factor prediction model using easily available admission data can identify general medicine patients at high risk for 30-day hospital readmission, though overall model discrimination is fair.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies of hospital readmission have focused on specific conditions or populations and generated complex prediction models. OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of early hospital readmission in a diverse patient population and derive and validate a simple model for identifying patients at high readmission risk. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. PATIENTS: Participants encompassed 10,946 patients discharged home from general medicine services at six academic medical centers and were randomly divided into derivation (n = 7,287) and validation (n = 3,659) cohorts. MEASUREMENTS: We identified readmissions from administrative data and 30-day post-discharge telephone follow-up. Patient-level factors were grouped into four categories: sociodemographic factors, social support, health condition, and healthcare utilization. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify significant predictors of unplanned readmission within 30 days of discharge and developed a scoring system for estimating readmission risk. RESULTS: Approximately 17.5% of patients were readmitted in each cohort. Among patients in the derivation cohort, seven factors emerged as significant predictors of early readmission: insurance status, marital status, having a regular physician, Charlson comorbidity index, SF12 physical component score, >or=1 admission(s) within the last year, and current length of stay >2 days. A cumulative risk score of >or=25 points identified 5% of patients with a readmission risk of approximately 30% in each cohort. Model discrimination was fair with a c-statistic of 0.65 and 0.61 for the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Select patient characteristics easily available shortly after admission can be used to identify a subset of patients at elevated risk of early readmission. This information may guide the efficient use of interventions to prevent readmission.
Hasan et al. (2009) conducted a cohort in General medicine patients at risk of hospital readmission (n=10,946). 7-factor readmission risk prediction model was evaluated on 30-day hospital readmission. A 7-factor prediction model identified 5.1% of general medicine patients with a score ≥25 who had a ~30% risk of 30-day hospital readmission, with fair discrimination (c-statistic 0.61-0.65).