Journal of hospital medicine : an official publication of the Society of Hospital Medicine
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Review
Association of physical function with hospital readmissions among older adults: A systematic review.
Hospital readmissions pose significant burdens on healthcare systems, particularly among older adults. While efforts to reduce readmissions have historically focused on medical management, emerging evidence suggests physical function may also play a role in successful care transitions. However, there is a limited understanding of the relationship between functional measures and readmission risk. This systematic review aims to assess the association between physical function impairments and hospital readmissions. ⋯ Functional impairments are robust predictors of hospital readmissions in older adults. Routine assessment of physical function during hospitalization can improve risk stratification and may support successful care transitions, particularly in older adults.
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There is a lack of uniformity across hospitals in applying inpatient versus observation status for short-stay (<48 h) pediatric hospitalizations, with negative financial implications associated with observation. Children with medical complexity (CMC) represent a growing population and incur high costs of care. The financial implications of inpatient and observation status for CMC have not been studied. ⋯ Government-paid observation encounters for CMC are associated with significant financial loss at children's hospitals. This reimbursement model may pose a threat to children's hospitals' ability to care for CMC.