Risk factors for repeated hospitalizations among home healthcare recipients.

One indicator of quality home healthcare is the prevention of rehospitalization. This study explored factors that place patients at risk for repeat hospitalizations after home healthcare admission. One year of outcomes assessment information data from a large home health agency was used to identify 7,393 patients who had at least one episode of rehospitalization. Results revealed that after the data had been adjusted for age and gender, a number of demographic, clinical, and functional factors predicted repeat hospitalizations. Home health agencies that focus on these risk factors may improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their efforts to prevent rehospitalization.