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Review
. 2014 Winter;14(4):649-54.

Pneumonia readmissions: risk factors and implications

Israel De Alba  1 , Alpesh Amin  1
Affiliations
Review

Pneumonia readmissions: risk factors and implications

Israel De Alba et al. Ochsner J. 2014 Winter.

Abstract

Background: Pneumonia continues to be a severe health problem in the United States, responsible for close to 1 million hospital admissions and nearly 140,000 hospital readmissions per year. The literature on this topic suggests that approximately 1 in 5 patients with pneumonia is readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge and that most readmissions are not because of pneumonia-related causes.

Methods: Although many pneumonia readmissions may not be preventable, reducing readmissions is feasible, as shown by recent trends in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data.

Results: Modifiable patient-, physician-, and system-related factors can be targeted for intervention.

Conclusion: Many interventions aimed at reducing hospital readmissions targeting transitional care, care coordination, and postdischarge care have shown potential for reducing readmission rates.

Keywords: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; patient readmission; pneumonia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no financial or proprietary interest in the subject matter of this article.

References

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