Hospital readmissions of elderly patients hospitalized with pneumonia.

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Readmission is an important outcome that is common among elderly patients surviving hospitalization. In this study we describe readmissions and examine potential predictors of readmission among elderly individuals with an index admission for pneumonia. Retrospective database analysis. Tertiary care hospital. Eight hundred and ninety-two patients (> or = 65 years) were discharged with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Readmissions and potentially relevant data were retrieved from the hospital's administrative database. Readmissions were experienced by 410 (46.0%) patients. There were 739 readmissions (.83/patient). Male gender, a longer index length of stay, and cancer comorbidity provided a weak but significant prediction of readmission. Readmissions were common following index admission for pneumonia. Data readily available in a hospital administrative database were not particularly predictive of readmission. Other, preferably modifiable variables will have to be identified if this important outcome is to be addressed.