The risk-adjusted readmission rate shows how often patients have to be unexpectedly re-hospitalized after being discharged. Simplified, this is also called the “relapse rate”. In 2023, there were notable differences between hospitals.
On a positive note, 44 of the 171 hospitals observed had significantly fewer readmissions than the Swiss average, while 26 hospitals recorded above-average rates.
As in previous years, the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) stand out with excellent results: their risk-adjusted 30-day readmission rate is only 5.0%, clearly below the Swiss average of 6.1%. The other four university hospitals (Bern, Zurich, Basel and Lausanne) again show higher rates, with the University Hospital Basel (USB) recording the highest at 6.9%.
The lowest readmission rate (1.9%) was observed at the Barmelweid Clinic – however, based on a small number of cases. The ANQ’s measurement methodology appears to slightly favor rehabilitation and specialized clinics, even after risk adjustment, which should be kept in mind when interpreting the results.
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.7
4.7
4.7
4.6
4.6
4.6
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.4
4.4
4.4
4.4
4.1
4.0
4.0
3.9
3.8
3.8
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.5
3.4
3.1
3.1
4.8
4.7
4.7
4.6
4.5
4.5
4.3
4.3
4.1
3.9
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.3
3.3
3.3
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.1
3.1
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
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
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.5
0.4
0.4
2.1
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.7
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.1
0.9
0.9
0.6
0.5
0.3
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.