Reducing recurrent hospital admissions in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Abstract

Recurrent admissions to hospital are a major issue for people living with decompensated cirrhosis, particularly those who develop chronic hepatic encephalopathy, a condition that leads to significantly impaired quality of life for patients and their family caregivers. Such patients have high health-care use costs but recent data have shown how the appropriate use of effective medical therapy can significantly reduce hospital admissions, length of stay and unplanned readmissions. Redesigning clinical services to optimize access to specialist care and improving the education and support of patients and their carers can further help to reduce the burden of this disease.