A recent study conducted over a 30-day period found seniors were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital following ambulatory surgery.
Here are six notes:
1. The study found seniors were 54 percent more likely to be readmitted to the hospital following ambulatory surgery compared to patients under 65 years.
2. The number of readmissions is projected to rise as economic pressures to cut healthcare costs result in more complex surgeries being performed in an ambulatory setting. There has been a 300 percent increase in ambulatory surgeries over the past decade due to economic pressure to minimize healthcare costs.
3. The biggest factor determining readmission and complications was age. Older patients have more difficulty understanding their discharge instructions and dosing with approximately 44 percent of seniors having low health literacy.
5. One possible solution to reducing readmission rates is to provide seniors clearer and more understandable discharge instructions.
6. The study authors recommend medical professionals assess seniors' ability to care for themselves after surgery.
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