Prevalence of factors contributing to unplanned hospital readmission of older medical patients when assessed by patients, their significant others and healthcare professionals: a cross-sectional survey

Key summary points Aim To describe the prevalence of perceived factors contributing to the unplanned hospital readmission of medical patients aged 65 years and above. Findings Perceived factors contributing to unplanned readmission relate to the patient’s illness and how it is managed. Patients and significant others as well as general practitioners and hospital physicians have low inter-rater agreement and different views on the contributing factors. Message General practitioners and significant others find it challenging to meet the needs, demands and expectations of patients who are discharged hastily and have not recovered. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41999-023-00799-6. Objective To describe the prevalence of factors contributing to readmission of older medical patients perceived by patients, significant others and healthcare professionals and to examine the agreement of factors contributing to readmission. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted at Horsens Regional Hospital from September 2020 to June 2021. Patients aged ≥ 65 years and who were readmitted within 30 days were included. The questionnaire covered eight themes: disease; diagnosing, treatment and care; network; organisation; communication; skills and knowledge; resources; and practical arrangements. Response groups were patients, significant others, GPs, district nurses and hospital physicians. Outcomes were the prevalence of factors contributing to 30-day readmission and inter-rater agreement between respondents. Results In total, 165 patients, 147 significant others, 115 GPs, 75 district nurses and 165 hospital physicians were included. The patients’ median age was 79 years (IQR 74–85), and 44% were women. The following were the most prevalent contributing factors: (1) relapse of the condition that caused the index admission, (2) the patient could not manage the symptoms or illness, (3) worsening of other illnesses or conditions, (4) the patient was not fully treated at the time of discharge and (5) the patient’s situation was too complex for the medical practice to handle. Kappas ranged from 0.0142 to 0.2421 for patient—significant other dyads and 0.0032 to 0.2459 for GP—hospital physician dyads. Conclusion From the perspectives of the included respondents, factors associated with the disease and its management were the most prevalent contributors to readmission for older medical patients. Agreement on the contributing factors was generally low. Trial registration Clinical trial number NCT05116644. Registration date October 27, 2021. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41999-023-00799-6.