Discharge handoff communication and pediatric readmissions

In this article, Dr. Ryan Coller et al. characterized common handoff practices between hospitals & primary care providers after pediatric hospitalizations. Using data abstracted from administrative, caregiver, and PCP questionnaires, the authors used logistic regression to asseess the relationship between 30-day unplanned readmissions and 11 handoff communication practices. They found that communication practices varied widely and that PCPs were only notified of half of the admissions that occurred. Unplanned readmissions to the hospital were unrelated to most handoff practices, and having PCP follow-up appoinments scheduled prior to discharge was associated with more readmissions.