Background: Readmission and length of stay are two hospital level metrics commonly used to assess the performance of hospitalist groups. Health care systems implement strategies aimed at reducing both. It is possible however that tactics aimed at improving one measure in individual patients may adversely impact the other. Studies in focused populations of patients hospitalized […]

Background: The reported 30‐day rehospitalization rate of 22.6% for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranks third in most frequent causes of hospital readmissions. Beginning on October 1, 2015, Medicare reimbursement will be reduced to acute care institutions whose rates for COPD exceed a predetermined threshold. About 40% of patients discharged from the hospital […]