Key Points
- A small group of patients drive the majority of hospital readmissions.
- High-utilization patients leave against medical advice at higher rates than other patients.
- Specialized care plans with external support can significantly reduce readmission of high-utilization patients.
Addressing Frequent Hospital Visitors for Safer Care
Some patients return to the hospital far more often than others. Known as high-utilization patients, or colloquially as “frequent flyers,” they can strain hospital resources, making it harder to provide safe, high-quality care. Their repeated visits contribute to decreased throughput and overcrowding, which has been linked to a higher risk of falls, treatment delays, and even patient deaths.
High-utilization patients, defined as four or more emergency department visits in 90 days or 10 or more hospitalizations a year, drive up hospital costs and disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities.
High-utilization patients share certain characteristics, including that:
- Most are men.
- 1 in 5 experiences homelessness.
- Many leave against medical advice at higher rates than other patients.
- Their primary diagnosis is more likely to include mental health conditions or alcohol use disorders.
UC Davis Transitions of Care
A recent HQI webinar showcased a groundbreaking program in the UC Davis Transitions of Care Department, designed to reduce hospital readmissions in this population. This program is a model for hospitals looking to reduce costs and enhance safety and efficiency; it leverages electronic health record-integrated solutions and streamlines post-hospitalization coordination — and it reduced readmission rates by 6%.
An Unmatched Opportunity for Hospitals
High-utilization patients drive a disproportionate share of readmissions, straining hospital resources and slowing throughput. HQI webinars deliver must-have solutions to some of the toughest safety challenges hospitals face, while HQI Safe Table forums allow for legally protected open discussions of specific safety events or issues. Plus, HQI’s exclusive data platform, the Hospital Quality Improvement Platform, gives hospitals a powerful edge — helping to identify high-utilization patients, track progress, and reduce their impact on readmissions.