Causes and Timing of Pediatric Readmissions

Abstract

Background: Hospital readmissions have negative consequences for patients and families and can place patients at higher risk of complications. Rates of 30-day readmission are lower in children than in adults but remain common with rates ranging from 3 to >30%. Several studies have examined predictors and rates of readmission for specific conditions; however, little is known about the causes and timing of readmission within these first 30-days after discharge. Objective: To examine readmission timing and causes among pediatric patients readmitted within 30-days after hospitalization. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2013 National Readmissions Database for patients aged 1 to 18 years to identify patterns of 30-day readmission after hospitalization …