Meaningful post-discharge primary care visits and readmissions: Are primary care post discharge explanations associated with reduced risk for readmission?

Abstract

Introduction: Primary care physician PCP post-discharge follow-up is increasingly advocated as part of readmissions-reduction efforts. Yet, previous studies mostly assessed whether a PCP visit occurred rather than examining the content of the visit and the quality of the PCP s review of the hospital discharge summary HoDS. We aimed to examine the association between the quality of PCPs review of the HoDS recommendations during the post-discharge visit and 30-day readmissions. Methods: This Prospective cohort study included 594 internal medicine patients from 2013 to 2014. The in-hospital baseline questionnaire examined patients sociodemographic characteristics, and physical, mental, and functional health status. patients were surveyed by phone about the discharge and post-discharge process. Information on participants chronic conditions, length of stay, prior hospitalization, and 30-day readmissions were retrieved from the healthcare organizations Clalit electronic health record d