The risk-adjusted re-admission rates (‘unplanned rehospitalisations’, simplified ‘relapse rates’) in 2022 show some major differences. It is pleasing to note that 41 of the 169 hospitals observed have a significantly below-average number of re-entries / relapses. This contrasts with 28 hospitals with significantly higher rates.
As in previous years, the Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG) performed significantly better with a risk-adjusted re-entry rate of 5.3% within one month of discharge. The Swiss average is 6%. In contrast, the other four university hospitals (Bern, Zurich, Basel and Lausanne) again have significantly higher re-admission rates, the highest of which is the University Hospital Zurich.
The Clinique de la Plaine in Geneva has the lowest re-admission rate (1.1%), albeit with a small number of cases. The ANQ measurement methodology appears to favour specialist surgical clinics slightly - despite risk adjustment.
5.0
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.7
4.7
4.7
4.7
4.6
4.6
4.6
4.6
4.6
4.6
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.4
4.4
4.4
4.3
4.3
4.3
4.3
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.1
4.1
4.1
4.1
3.9
3.8
3.8
3.8
3.8
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.5
3.5
3.4
3.4
3.3
3.3
3.3
3.2
3.1
3.1
3.1
3.1
3.1
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.1
0.1
Since 2018, the ANQ has been publishing data on the frequency of rehospitalizations - unfortunately, however, only for hospitals in the acute care sector. In 2021, he improved the methodology and now refers to the key figure as "unplanned rehospitalisations". This indicator shows how often patients have to return to hospital after a hospital stay.
An "unplanned hospital readmission" occurs when a patient has to be readmitted to hospital within one month of a hospital stay for the same health problem. This can be an indication that the treatment was not sustainable and that the health problems have recurred.
A hospital stay is stressful for patients and can be associated with high costs. A low readmission rate means that the treatment in the hospital was successful and that patients recover more quickly.