Hospital Readmission: Analyzing Rates and Improving Outcomes

This report delves into the critical issue of hospital readmission, examining its multifaceted implications for patients, healthcare providers, and the overall healthcare system. The document defines hospital readmission, highlighting its use as a key performance indicator and benchmark for quality services. It discusses the financial burdens associated with readmissions, the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, and the introduction of programs aimed at reducing readmission rates. The report also presents a personal experience with readmission, emphasizing the loss of confidence in healthcare providers. Furthermore, it explores the financial responsibility for readmissions, particularly in the context of the Medicare program, and references relevant research on the topic.

Running Head: HOSPITAL READMISSION
Hospital Readmission
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HOSPITAL READMISSION
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Hospital Readmission
Hospital readmission as an indicator of poor quality
Hospital readmission is the situation in which an individual who had been discharged by
the healthcare staff is admitted again in the same hospital for a specified period of time. The rates
of hospital readmission are being applied to measure the outcome of healthcare research as well
as the benchmark for quality services for healthcare systems. Most of the healthcare centers have
been punished under the patient protection and affordable act of 2010 if their readmission rates
are higher than the stipulated rates. Thus, most healthcare organizations have introduced
programs to reduce the rates of readmission and to improve the quality of services. Hospital
readmission has proved problematic not only for the healthcare providers, patients, players,
policymakers, but also the family of the patients. This is because hospital readmissions are not
only expensive (Birmingham & Oglesby, 2018), but they are also an indication of inefficiency
and poor quality in healthcare centers (Khouri Jr et al. 2017). It should be noted that Medicare
program pays for almost all the readmission expect if an individual is readmitted within less than
24 hours after the first discharge for the same medical condition in which he or she had been
hospitalized.
My experience with readmission has been worst since I was the one who got the first-
hand experience. I was diagnosed initially with acute malaria. After two weeks I was readmitted
again for the same reason. After an inquiry from the hospital management as to why was being
readmitted for a similar condition, I was informed that the healthcare provider who handled my
case did not effectively treat for the disease. This experience was terrifying since I lost
confidence with the providers as I was not sure they would do the same mistake.

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Hospital readmission after more than one day
Currently, hospital readmission after more than one day is normally catered for
financially by an individual through Medicare program in the United States of America. For the
individuals who are not in Medicare program, the readmission is the sole responsibility of the
patient. This situation is normally burdening for the patient who has to use a lot of money
treating the same condition in which they were initially hospitalized (Shebehe & Hansson, 2018).

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References
Birmingham, L. E., & Oglesby, W. H. (2018). Readmission rates in not-for-profit vs. proprietary
hospitals before and after the hospital readmission reduction program
implementation. BMC Health Services Research, 18, 1–N.PAG.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-2840-4
Khouri Jr, R. K., Hechuan Hou, Dhir, A., Andino, J. J., Dupree, J. M., Miller, D. C., … Hou, H.
(2017). What is the impact of a clinically related readmission measure on the assessment
of hospital performance? BMC Health Services Research, 17, 1–6.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2742-x
Shebehe, J., & Hansson, A. (2018). High hospital readmission rates for patients aged ≥65 years
associated with low socioeconomic status in a Swedish region: a cross-sectional study in
primary care. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, 36(3), 300–307.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02813432.2018.1499584