Researcher reveals factors leading to readmission among people with diabetes

In a research study, Shammah Omololu explained that specific patient characteristics significantly influence 30-day readmission rates among adult people living with diabetes.

Ms. Omololu, a PhD candidate and research coordinator at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, Ohio, USA, presented her findings after a detailed integrative review of existing literature.

Ms. Omololu began her nursing education at the School of Nursing, Sacred Heart Hospital in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, and then earned her Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Nursing from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

Delving into the mind-boggling revelation, her research area primarily focuses on diabetes, emphasising patient and nurse education. She investigates factors that influence the quality of care, patient safety, and satisfaction in diabetes management.

She is an active member of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES). In fall 2023, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) accepted her as a scholar in recognition of her contributions to the field.

This integrative review examined the current state of knowledge regarding the factors influencing 30-day readmission among adult people living with diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic and costly disease, posing a major public health concern globally. Its increasing prevalence, complications, and healthcare costs have a significant impact on individuals’ quality of life, life expectancy, and healthcare systems. Moreover, diabetes contributes significantly to hospital readmissions, further straining patients, carers, and the economy.

Her review highlighted how certain patient characteristics, including age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, language proficiency, and insurance type, as well as diabetes-related complications and comorbidities (having more than two or more medical conditions at the same time), are predictive of 30-day readmission risks.

The study reviewed how multiple hospitalisations were associated with elderly patients, females, racial/ethnic minorities, those on Medicare/Medicaid insurance, and individuals living in low-income communities.

The review further underscored that individuals who were without health insurance and from certain racial/ethnic groups faced higher diabetes-related complications at twice the rate of individuals with health insurance, as they were less likely to self-monitor their blood glucose, go for a haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and eye tests, and tend to have poor glycemic control.

The review identified language proficiency as a significant contributor to readmission. The findings highlighted how patients with limited English proficiency were at a higher risk of readmission due to communication barriers that could hinder effective diabetes management and post-discharge care instructions.

Patients with diabetes-related complications, including infections, heart diseases, and comorbidities, demonstrated a higher likelihood of readmission within 30 days following hospital discharge. Furthermore, patients with a primary diagnosis of diabetes had higher readmission rates than those without a secondary diagnosis.

The review also emphasised that effective preventive measures, such as HbA1c testing before discharge, significantly reduced readmission rates.

The study demonstrated that a 90-day adequate medication supply and outpatient HbA1c testing significantly reduced readmissions.

Speaking on these findings, Ms Omololu stated, “The identification of demographic characteristics and diabetes-related complications as significant risk factors for readmission highlighted the importance of tailored interventions and continuous monitoring in diabetes management.”

Addressing these factors through culturally appropriate diabetes self-management education during post-discharge management could enhance patient self-care behaviour, health outcomes, and quality of life, potentially lowering readmission rates.”

In conclusion, Ms. Omololu’s integrative review provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of factors influencing readmission rates among patients living with diabetes.

By proactively addressing these factors, healthcare providers can enhance the quality of care and reduce the burden on healthcare systems, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for patients living with diabetes.