Unplanned readmission to hospital: a comparison of the views of general practitioners and hospital staff.

OBJECTIVE to compare the views of general practitioners and hospital staff on the reasons for unplanned readmission of older people. METHODS we studied 124 patients aged 65 years or over who were readmitted within 28 days of discharge. We determined the views of hospital staff and the patient's general practitioner on the reasons for readmission and compared them using McNemar's test. RESULTS the crude readmission rate was 13.2%. The commonest agreed reason for readmission was a relapse or complication of the initial illness. Opinions differed most significantly when the reason was poor health or inadequate preparation on discharge. CONCLUSION hospital discharge policies should take into account general practitioners' views on the causes of unplanned readmission.