Among Pennsylvania patients who acquired a healthcare-associated infection in 2009, 29.8 percent were readmitted within 30 days for an infection or complication, according to a Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council report.
Of the Medicare patients age 65 and older who acquired an infection during their hospital stay, 29.5 percent were readmitted within 30 days for an infection or complication. The estimated total Medicare payment for these readmissions was more than $24.6 million. Of the Medicare patients age 65 and older without an HAI, 8.7 percent were readmitted for an infection or complication.
"The data suggest that if you contract an infection in the hospital, you are more likely to be rehospitalized," said Joe Martin, PHC4's executive director. "We don't know why that is or how much the initial infection contributes to the readmission, but it may present opportunities for quality improvement and cost containment."
Read the news release about Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council's report.
Read other coverage about healthcare-acquired infections:
- Expert: 70% of Healthcare-Associated Infections are Preventable
- Dry Metallic Copper Surfaces Can Kill Bacteria on Contact
- Inexpensive Betadine Reduces Risk of Infection After Total Joint Replacement Surgery
Of the Medicare patients age 65 and older who acquired an infection during their hospital stay, 29.5 percent were readmitted within 30 days for an infection or complication. The estimated total Medicare payment for these readmissions was more than $24.6 million. Of the Medicare patients age 65 and older without an HAI, 8.7 percent were readmitted for an infection or complication.
"The data suggest that if you contract an infection in the hospital, you are more likely to be rehospitalized," said Joe Martin, PHC4's executive director. "We don't know why that is or how much the initial infection contributes to the readmission, but it may present opportunities for quality improvement and cost containment."
Read the news release about Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council's report.
Read other coverage about healthcare-acquired infections:
- Expert: 70% of Healthcare-Associated Infections are Preventable
- Dry Metallic Copper Surfaces Can Kill Bacteria on Contact
- Inexpensive Betadine Reduces Risk of Infection After Total Joint Replacement Surgery
