Follow-up primary care visits reduce readmission rates for EGS patients

Editor's Note

A recent study of Medicare beneficiaries found that patients hospitalized for an emergency general surgery (EGS) condition who had primary care follow-up within 30 days of discharge had much lower readmission rates. The investigative findings were published on September 27 in JAMA Surgery. 

Some highlights include:

• Patients who received a surgical procedure during an EGS visit had 79% reduced odds of readmission with a follow-up visit.
• Patients treated nonoperatively had 64% reduced odds of readmission compared to patients without a follow-up.
• Of patients undergoing EGS, 8.1% have an unplanned readmission, with older adults experiencing the highest rates of readmission. 
• Primary care follow-up has been linked to lower readmission rates after hospitalization for other medical conditions and high-risk surgery. 
• In follow-up visits, providers are able to identify and treat postoperative complications such as infections before they progress and can assist patients in medication adjustments. 

The researchers say the findings emphasize the importance of coordinated care systems to prevent hospital readmissions, especially in areas where access to care is more limited.