Research Briefs
Date of this Version
5-22-2018
Abstract
In this study of more than 43,000 home health episodes following a hospitalization, handoffs between skilled nursing providers—a marker of discontinuity of care—substantially increased hospital readmissions, and were more detrimental for sicker patients. The estimates imply that a single handoff increases the likelihood of 30-day hospital readmission by 16% and that one in four hospitalizations during home health care could be avoided if handoffs were eliminated.
Document Type
Brief
Number
42
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Keywords
home health, hospital readmissions, patient handoffs
View On LDI Website
https://ldi.upenn.edu/brief/effect-workforce-assignment-performance-evidence-home-health-care
Citation For This Study
David G, Kim KL. The effect of workforce assignment on performance: Evidence from home health care. Journal of health economics. 2018 May 1;59:26-45. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2018.03.003
Date Posted: 01 June 2018