Understanding Variation in 30-Day Surgical Readmission in the Era of Accountable Care

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Abstract
Readmission has been targeted as a potential area of quality improvement that could also help decrease health care costs.1 Readmission has become a particularly important topic for physicians and hospitals given the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Hospital Readmission Reductions Program (HRRP). Under the HRRP, hospitals with higher than expected readmission rates incur financial penalties in the form of decreased remuneration.2 Additionally, hospital-wide readmissions are made publicly available as a quality measure for patient care.3 While the HRRP has largely focused on 3 medical conditions (myocardial infarction, pneumonia, and heart failure), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid has expanded the HRRP to include total hip and knee arthroplasty, with additional surgical procedures to be incorporated in the near future.2

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