Outpatient Follow-Up and 30-Day Readmissions

Is outpatient follow-up after hospital discharge associated with reduced risk of readmission among adult patients?This systematic review and meta-analysis of 83 studies found outpatient follow-up within 30 days of discharge was associated with reduced risk of 30-day readmission for patients aged 65 years or older, while early follow-up within 7 and 14 days was associated with reduced risk only among patients aged 65 years or older with heart failure or acute myocardial infarction.The findings suggest outpatient follow-up within 30 days of discharge is associated with reduced risk of readmission but follow-up within 7 or 14 days may not be necessary for low-risk patients.

Corresponding Author: Chetna Malhotra, MD, MPH, Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Eight College Rd, Singapore 169857 (chetna.malhotra@duke-nus.edu.sg).

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