Can Vertical Integration Reduce Hospital Readmissions? A Difference-in-Differences Approach.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vertical integration is expected to improve communication and coordination between inpatient care and care after discharge. Despite being used across health systems worldwide, evidence about its impact on readmissions is sparse and contradictory.

Objective

To assess the impact of vertical integration on hospital readmissions.

Research design, subjects, and measures

Using difference-in-differences we compared readmissions before and after vertical integration in 6 Portuguese hospitals for years 2004-2013. A control group with 6 similar hospitals not integrated was utilized. Considered outcome was 30-day unplanned readmission. We used logistic regression at the admission level and accounted for patients' risk factors using claims data. Analyses for each hospi

SUBMITTER: Lopes S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5398905 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature