Emily Lyness

Abstract

Background: Readmissions within 30-days of hospital discharge are a problem. The aim was to determine if the Better Outcomes for Older Adults through Safe Transitions (BOOST) risk assessment tool was applicable within the UK.

Methods: Patients over 65 readmitted were identified retrospectively via a casenote review. BOOST assessment was applied with 1 point for each risk factor.

Results: 324 patients were readmitted (mean age 77 years) with a median of 7 days between discharge and readmission. The median BOOST score was 3 (IQR 2-4) with polypharmacy evident in 88% and prior hospitalisation in 70%. The tool correctly predicted 90% of readmissions using two or more risk factors and 99.1% if one risk factor was included.

Conclusion: The BOOST assessment tool appears appropriate in predicting readmissions however further analysis is required to determine its precision.