30-Day Readmission Rate
What is the 30-day readmission rate?
The 30-day readmission rate is the percentage of patients that readmit to the hospital within 30 days with the same illness they were previously discharged. A lower 30-day readmission rate is more favorable than a higher rate, as it indicates better patient care.
CMS oversees the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP), which penalizes hospitals for excessive preventable readmissions.
Why is the 30-day readmission rate important to healthcare?
The 30-day readmission rate is important because it is a critical care metric. Since high readmission rates can signify overlooked complications and improper treatment, lower 30-day readmission rates correlate with a higher quality of care.
Additionally, hospitals with lower 30-day readmission rates often have better financial performance because of fewer penalties and higher reimbursement rates.