Interventions to Improve Communication at Hospital Discharge and Rates of Readmission

Abstract

Key Points Question Are communication interventions at hospital discharge associated with rates of hospital readmission? Findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis including a pooled analysis of 19 randomized clinical trials involving 3953 patients for the primary end point, communication interventions at discharge were significantly associated with lower readmission rates, higher medication adherence, and higher patient satisfaction. Meaning These findings suggest that communication interventions at discharge have the potential to decrease hospital readmissions and improve treatment adherence and patient satisfaction.