Hospital Utilization and Characteristics of Patients Experiencing Recurrent Readmissions Within Children's Hospitals

Abstract

Hospital readmission is increasingly considered an indicator of care quality and a leverage point for reimbursement reform to reduce excessive health care costs.^1,2 Risk factors for readmission in children include the presence of a complex chronic health condition, black race, and Medicaid insurance use.^3-6 Children assisted with medical technology, such as a tracheostomy or a cerebrospinal fluid ventricular shunt, are also at risk for readmission because of a fragile medical state and risk of technology malfunction.^7,8 Children with these attributes are routinely cared for within children's hospitals.⁹