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Published on: February 23, 2014
Thirty-Day Readmissions After Pneumonia: How Many Are Preventable?
Introduction:
Pneumonia remains a continuing target for performance measurement and quality improvement. The aim of this analysis was to examine 30-day all-cause readmissions after pneumonia to identify reasons for readmission and potential opportunities for improvement.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed on patients readmitted within 30 days after an index pneumonia hospitalization at the University of Connecticut Health Center in 2011.
Results:
There were 54 readmissions involving 40 patients and only five (12.5%) patients had readmissions that were deemed potentially preventable. Reasons for readmissions were CHF exacerbation (3), malnutrition (1), and pericardial tamponade (1). Of the 49 non-preventable readmissions, 16 were related to pneumonia/bronchitis. Four out of 16 had known aspiration risks, while the rest had comorbidities including cystic fibrosis, COPD, CHF, HIV, and sickle cell disease. Other readmissions were secondary to underlying co-morbid conditions.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that most 30-day readmissions after hospitalization for pneumonia may not be preventable.
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