Posthospital Fall Injuries and 30-Day Readmissions in Adults 65 Years and Older

Key Points Question To what extent do falls play a role in hospital readmissions for older patients, including those with acute geriatric risk factors? Findings This cohort study using Hospital Cost and Utilization Project data from 8.3 million Medicare beneficiaries found that fall-related injuries ranked as high as the third-leading readmission diagnosis, depending on the type of initial hospitalization. Fall injuries ranked still higher for patients with a high preexisting risk of falling and for those discharged home or to home health care rather than to a skilled nursing facility. Meaning Fall-related injuries are leading diagnoses for hospital readmissions, particularly for at-risk older adults discharged home, highlighting the need for greater attention to transitional prevention strategies to avoid postdischarge falls.