Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) data from 2010 provide the most comprehensive national estimates of 30-day readmission rates for specific procedures and diagnoses.* Examples include:

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By Procedure

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Nearly one in five patients with these common procedures was readmitted:

• 23% Amputation of lower extremity
• 19% Heart valve procedures
• 19% Debridement of a wound, infection, or burn

By Diagnosis

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Nearly one in four patients with these common diagnoses was readmitted:

• 25% Congestive heart failure
• 22% Schizophrenia
• 22% Acute and unspecified renal failure

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Nearly one in three patients with these less frequent procedures was readmitted:

• 29% Kidney transplant
• 29% Ileostomy and other enterostomy

Nearly one in three patients with these less frequent diagnoses was readmitted:

• 32% Sickle cell anemia
• 32% Gangrene

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Readmission Rates by Payer

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Medicaid and Medicare patients have a higher percentage of readmissions than other payers

Procedure: Amputation of lower extremity

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• Medicare: 26%
• Medicaid: 22%
• Privately Insured: 17%
• Uninsured: 13%

Diagnosis: Congestive heart failure

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• Medicare: 30%
• Medicaid: 25%
• Privately Insured: 20%
• Uninsured: 17%

*Readmissions were for all causes and did not necessarily include the same procedure or diagnosis as the original admission (index stay).

Source: HCUP Statistical Briefs #153 and #154: http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/statbriefs.jsp

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