1 in 11 COVID-19 hospital patients readmitted, study finds

In a study of 106,543 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between March and July, 9% were readmitted to the same hospital within two months of discharge, the Centers Disease Control and Prevention reported today. About 1.6% of the patients had multiple readmissions.

Risk factors for readmission included age 65 or older, certain chronic conditions, hospitalization in the preceding three months, and discharge to a skilled nursing facility or home health care, the authors said. “With the recent increases in cases nationwide, hospital planning can account for these increasing numbers along with the potential for at least 9% of patients to be readmitted, requiring additional beds and resources,” the authors said.