Many Return Soon after a Hospital Stay

Two new studies suggest that about 1 patient out of 5 returns within 30 days after a hospital stay. One study examined 4 million hospital stays. About 18% of patients came back within a month after their hospital stay. About 40% of them went to the emergency room only. The others were admitted again. A second study looked at 3 million hospital stays by Medicare patients. Among those who were admitted for heart failure, nearly 25% were admitted again within 30 days. Almost 20% of those with heart attacks came back. So did 18% of those with pneumonia. Most people were admitted the second time for a different problem. The author of this second study said a long hospital stay can increase people’s risk of illness or injury soon afterward. Some reasons include poor sleep in the hospitals or weaker muscles from bed rest.