Physicians alarmed by data showing readmissions program increased mortality
The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) introduced by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) hasn’t been beloved by hospitals who have been penalized by it, but now new studies have given physicians and administrators new reasons to oppose it: It may be jeopardizing patient care.
STAT reports the “biggest flashpoint” on the readmissions debate was a November study in JAMA Cardiology which said while 30-day readmission rates dropped after HRRP went into effect, risk-adjusted mortality for heart failure patients increased from 7.2 to 8.6 percent at 30 days and from 31.3 to 36.3 percent at one year.
One possible explanation is hospitals are too focused on keeping patients out of the hospital to avoid the financial penalties.
“You can imagine scenarios where patients were left at home or discharged straight from the emergency room when their … outcome would be better with hospitalization in a more closely monitored environment,” said Gregg Fonarow, MD, director of the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center.
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John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.