Clinical identification of patients readmitted to hospitals: why patients return.

Background: Increased interest in hospital outcomes has supported the need for clear and useful identification of patients who are readmitted. These patients have frequently been identified by the principal diagnosis of the initial admission.

Findings: In order to evaluate the effectiveness of identifying patients who were subsequently readmitted, those with two frequently encountered conditions, principal diagnoses of congestive heart failure and pneumonia, in the hospitals of Syracuse New York were evaluated.

Quantitative tools for addressing hospital readmissions.

Background: Increased interest in health care cost containment is focusing attention on reduction of hospital readmissions. Major payors have already developed financial penalties for providers that generate excess readmissions. This subject has benefitted from the development of resources such as the Potentially Preventable Readmissions software.