SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Rural Patient Outcomes Following a Chronic Condition Hospitalization

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This retrospective study examined 27,073 adults hospitalized for a chronic condition to compare post-discharge outcomes between rural and urban patients. The researchers looked at 30-day acute care use, mortality, and follow-up care, including transitional care management (TCM), non-TCM visits, and primary care provider (PCP) follow-up.<br /><br />Key findings showed that rural patients had worse post-discharge acute care outcomes than urban patients. At 30 days, rural patients had higher rates of hospital readmission (10.7% vs. 9.4%) and emergency room visits (12.1% vs. 11.3%). However, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality between rural and urban patients (12.4% vs. 11.6%).<br /><br />Urban patients were more likely to complete follow-up care after discharge. They had higher rates of TCM visits (15.3% vs. 13.4%) and PCP follow-up within 30 days (18.5% vs. 17.4%) compared with rural patients. Overall, follow-up rates were low in both groups.<br /><br />The study concludes that rural patients experience greater post-hospitalization acute care use and less follow-up care than urban patients, but similar mortality. The authors note that the findings are limited by the use of electronic medical record data, yet they highlight important rural-urban disparities in care transitions after hospitalization for chronic conditions.

Asset Subtitle

Kalan P. King

Meta Tag

Author List Jesse Thompson, Jessica Thayer, Kalan P. King

Category Research

Concept Rural Patient

Concept Urban Patient Population

Concept Post-Discharge Acute Care Use

Concept Follow-up Care

Concept All-Cause Mortality

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization West Virginia University Medicine

Presenting Author Kalan P. King

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

rural health disparities

urban patients

post-discharge outcomes

hospital readmission

emergency department visits

mortality

follow-up care

transitional care management

primary care follow-up

chronic condition hospitalization

Rural Patient

Urban Patient Population

Post-Discharge Acute Care Use

Follow-up Care

All-Cause Mortality