BHI has drawn on its extensive patient experience survey data to better understand the association between key aspects of patient-reported experiences of hospital care, and the risk of readmission among adults with chronic health conditions.

Our analyses showed a strong link, even after accounting for other risk factors such as age, and concluded that improving hospital experiences can go a long way to keeping people healthy at home after discharge and reducing future readmissions.

We also identified the types of experiences that could be improved to help reduce the risk of readmission after discharge.

BHI conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study with longitudinal follow-up using NSW Adult Admitted Patient Survey data, linked to administrative datasets, for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or congestive heart failure (CHF) who were admitted for acute care in a public hospital in NSW during a three-month period over three years.

Cox regression models were used for exploring the associations, adjusting for other risk factors such as age and comorbidities, and accounting for clustering of patients within same hospitals.

We found that adults with COPD or CHF mostly offered favourable ratings of their inpatient care. However, patients who reported that their care and treatment helped ‘not at all’ were at twice the risk of readmission compared to those who responded that care and treatment ‘definitely’ helped.

Patients who offered the most unfavourable ratings of overall care, understandable explanations, organised care, or preparedness for discharge were at a 1.5 to more than 2 times higher risk of readmission.

Other experiences associated with readmissions included being treated with respect and dignity, effective and clear communication, and timely and coordinated care.

The results also suggest that increasing each patient's positive experiences progressively reduces the risk of adults with chronic conditions returning to acute care.

This study is part of BHI’s work to provide high-value insights that align with health system priorities and help improve care for patients.

The full article was published in the PLOS ONE journal and presented at the 12th Health Services Research Conference.