Trends in Hospital Readmissions for Four High-Volume Conditions

A new statistical analysis from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality looks at trends in hospital readmission rates for four high volume conditions: acute myocardial infarction [AMI], congestive heart failure [CHF], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], and pneumonia. In 2013, there were about half a million readmissions totaling $7 billion in aggregate hospital costs for these four conditions.

While the all-cause readmission rate in 2013 was 13.9%, the readmission rate was 23.5% for AMI, 20.0% for COPD, 15.5% for pneumonia, and 14.7% for AMI. They accounted for 13% of all hospital costs for readmissions

The good news is that readmission rates declined for three of the four conditions between 2009 and 2013. Readmission rates declined by 13.1% for AMI, 6.6% for CHF, 5.4% for COPD but grew 1.0% for pneumonia. However, the aggregate cost of pneumonia readmissions decreased by 5%. Further analysis of readmission rates and costs is also included by expected payer [Medicare, Medicaid, private, and uninsured].

Source: Fingar K and Washington $. Trends in hospital readmissions for four high-volume conditions, 2009-2013. HCUP [Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project] Statistical Brief, no. 196, Nov. 2015. http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb196-Readmissions-Trends-High-Volume-Conditions.pdf

Posted by AHA Resource Center (312) 422-2050 rc@aha.org