Reduce Admission and Readmission Rates at the Same Time

Hospitals with a decline in admission rates often experience a decline in 30-day readmission rates, according to a recent Health Affairs study.

The study examined the difference between 2010 and 2013 admission rates and 30-day readmission rates for elderly Medicare patients. Despite declines in admission and 30-day readmission rates, the patients in hospitals studied did not become sicker as admission rates dropped. This trend continued for “observed readmission rates, risk-standardized readmission rates, and the combined rate of readmission and death.” The study suggested that hospitals can reduce admissions and readmissions at the same time and that there is no conflict between CMS incentivizing the reduction of both.