HOSPITAL SERVICES REPORT : MONITORING EFFECTIVENESS - DEC 96

How many patients need to return unexpectedly to hospital for further care?

Unplanned readmissions to hospital¹

	SEP95 quarter4	JUN96 quarter	SEP96 quarter	Change (%) JUN96 to SEP96
(1) Total patients treated2	204257	214442	217674	+1.5
(2) Total patients treated LESS patients with readmission 'not applicable'3	189729	199613	200681	+0.5
(3) Total patients readmitted to hospital	57437	60077	63020	+4.9
(4) Total patients with unplanned readmission within 28 days of initial discharge	19174	20660	21046	+1.9
(5=4/2) Unplanned readmissions as a proportion of total patients treated	10.1%	10.3%	10.5%

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