Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Hospital readmissions and deaths during the first year after hospitalization for stroke
1Institute of Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, School of Allied Health, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA. rbohann@harthosp.org
Insights
Readmission and death are common in the year after stroke. Secondary prevention strategies are highly recommended to reduce these adverse outcomes in stroke survivors.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
- Survivors of stroke face significant risks of readmission and mortality in the post-discharge period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document deaths and readmissions in stroke survivors.
- To identify variables associated with these adverse outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrieved stroke severity data from a Stroke Center database.
- Utilized hospital administrative data for demographics and readmission information.
- Employed the Social Security Death Index to track mortality.
Main Results:
- 32.5% of patients were readmitted, and 15.6% died within one year post-stroke.
- The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and index length of stay were key predictors of death and readmission.
- Regression analysis indicated NIHSS and length of stay explained 9.4% of the variance in death and 9.9% in death or readmission.
Conclusions:
- Readmission and death are frequent occurrences in the first year after stroke.
- Findings underscore the critical need for implementing secondary stroke prevention strategies.
- Early and targeted interventions can potentially mitigate post-stroke morbidity and mortality.
Purpose:
The goal of this study of 326 patients surviving index hospitalization for stroke was to: 1) document deaths and readmissions and 2) describe the association of selected variables with these outcomes.
Methods:
Stroke severity data were retrieved from our Stroke Center's database; demographics and information relevant to index and subsequent readmissions was garnered from the Hospital's administrative database. The Social Security Death Index was also used to investigate deaths.
Results:
During the year following index admission for stroke, 32.5% were readmitted at least once, 15.6% died, and 39.6% were either readmitted or died. The diagnosis-related group associated most often with the first readmission was number 14 (specific cerebrovascular disorders except transient ischemic attach). Only index length of stay had a significant bivariate correlation (r = .138) with readmission. Age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, index length of stay, and index discharge destination had significant bivariate correlations (r = .129-.231) with death and death or readmission. Regression analysis showed that a combination of the NIHSS score and index length of stay provided the strongest association with death (R2 = .094) and death or readmission (R2 = .099).
Conclusions:
Readmission and death are common during the first year after stroke. The initiation of secondary prevention strategies would appear to be highly warranted on the basis of these findings.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
01:15Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
01:17Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:29Stroke: Introduction and Types