HOSPITAL SERVICES REPORT : MONITORING EFFECTIVENESS - MAR97
How many patients need to return unexpectedly to hospital for further care?
Unplanned readmissions to hospital 1
| DEC 95 quarter4 | SEP 96 quarter | DEC 96 quarter | Change (%) SEP 96 to DEC 96 | |
| (1) Total patients treated2 | 201395 | 217674 | 215186 | –1.1 |
| (2) Total patients treated LESS patients with readmission 'not applicable'3 | 187578 | 200681 | 194566 | –3.0 |
| (3) Total patients readmitted to hospital | 58514 | 63020 | 63914 | +1.4 |
| (4) Total patients with unplanned readmission within 28 days of initial discharge | 19684 | 21046 | 21071 | +0.1 |
| (5=4/2) Unplanned readmissions as a proportion of total patients treated | 10.5% | 10.5% | 10.8% |
1The indicator of unplanned readmissions for further treatment of the same or a related condition is still being developed. Currently the indicator includes readmissions for chronic conditions and for unrelated conditions. The indicator does not include unplanned readmissions for the same condition to a different hospital.
2 The number of patients treated is counted when they leave hospital (separation).
3 Readmission category 'not applicable' includes changes in care type, transfers from other acute hospitals, patients leaving at own risk against medical advice, and deaths.
Source: Victorian Inpatient Minimum Database.
