RT Journal
A1 Kangovi S, Grande D
T1 HOspital readmissions—not just a measure of quality
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2011
FD October 26
VO 306
IS 16
SP 1796
OP 1797
DO 10.1001/jama.2011.1562
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.1562
AB 
The current understanding of what drives readmission focuses on the quality of the inpatient discharge process and on patients' health status (Figure). Health care administrators have relied on this narrow framework to conclude that the best approach to reduce readmission rates is to improve the discharge process for medically high-risk patients. This strategy may yield disappointing results because it misses important factors that contribute to readmission. In this Commentary, we propose a broader framework that can be used to identify alternative strategies to reduce readmissions.