HOSPITAL READMISSIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Hospital readmissions refer to the instances when a patient is discharged from a hospital but subsequently has to be admitted again within a specific period of time, usually within 30 days. The term is primarily used in the context of healthcare, particularly in the assessment of quality and effectiveness of healthcare delivery, as well as in healthcare policy and reimbursement models.
The objective of tracking hospital readmissions is to evaluate the provision of care and identify potential issues in patient management, including the identification of gaps in the healthcare system. High rates of hospital readmissions may indicate problems such as inadequate discharge planning, insufficient post-hospital care, lack of coordination between healthcare providers, medication errors, or failure to address the underlying condition adequately.
Evaluating hospital readmissions is important for both patients and healthcare providers. For patients, high readmission rates may suggest inadequate care, resulting in prolonging illness and discomfort. On the other hand, for healthcare providers, excessive hospital readmissions can lead to financial penalties, as they are often seen as an indicator of lower quality care or inefficiency.
Reducing hospital readmissions is a central goal for healthcare providers. Strategies may include improved discharge planning and patient education, enhanced post-hospital care coordination, medication management, and addressing social determinants of health, among other interventions. These initiatives aim to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance the overall quality of care delivery.
Common Misspellings for HOSPITAL READMISSIONS
- gospital readmissions
- bospital readmissions
- nospital readmissions
- jospital readmissions
- uospital readmissions
- yospital readmissions
- hispital readmissions
- hkspital readmissions
- hlspital readmissions
- hpspital readmissions
- h0spital readmissions
- h9spital readmissions
- hoapital readmissions
- hozpital readmissions
- hoxpital readmissions
- hodpital readmissions
- hoepital readmissions
- howpital readmissions
- hosoital readmissions
- hoslital readmissions
Etymology of HOSPITAL READMISSIONS
The word "hospital readmissions" does not have a specific etymology as it is a compound term made up of two words. However, the etymology of each individual word is as follows:
- Hospital: The word "hospital" comes from the Latin word "hospes" which means "guest" or "stranger". It began to be used in the English language in the 13th century to refer to a place where the sick, wounded, or infirm could be lodged and cared for.
- Readmissions: The word "readmissions" is a combination of the prefix "re-" meaning "again" or "back" and the word "admission" which comes from the Latin word "admissio" meaning "permission to enter". "Admission" in the medical context refers to the process of a patient being formally accepted into a healthcare facility.
