Table 1.
Distribution of readmissions across categories, and proportion subject to non-payment guidance
| Category | Number (of individuals affected) | Average number per year | Percentage (95% CI) | Percentage subject to NHS non-payment guidance 2011/2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A: Potentially preventable | ||||
| A1: Probable suboptimal care | 312 891 (163 924) | 52 149 | 5.39 (5.37 to 5.41) | 49.2 |
| A2: Possible suboptimal care | 1 426 628 (821 022) | 237 771 | 24.58 (24.54 to 24.61) | 11.4 |
| B: Anticipated but unpredictable hospital care | ||||
| B1: Ill but stable | 439 566 (79 240) | 73 261 | 7.57 (7.55 to 7.59) | 14.4 |
| B2: Unstable deterioration | 311 036 (23 092) | 51 839 | 5.36 (5.34 to 5.38) | 8.7 |
| B3: Non-medical risk factors | 391 385 (216 813) | 65 231 | 6.74 (6.72 to 6.76) | 13.8 |
| C: Preference | ||||
| C1: Self-discharge | 53 718 (32 196) | 8953 | 0.93 (0.92 to 0.93) | n/a |
| C2: Public holiday* | 11 684 (n/a) | 1947 | 0.20 (0.20 to 0.20) | n/a |
| D: Artefact | ||||
| D1: Planned care | 16 062 (8005) | 2677 | 0.28 (0.27 to 0.28) | 22.0 |
| D2: Defined periodicity* | 47 787 (n/a) | 7964 | 0.82 (0.82 to 0.83) | n/a |
| E: Accident or coincidence—related to different body system | 1 101 818 (692 712) | 183 636 | 18.98 (18.95 to 19.01) | 20.8 |
| F: Broadly related | 1 751 368 (1 312 100) | 291 895 | 30.17 (30.14 to 30.21) | 17.8 |
| Total (event-specific) | 5 804 472 (3 349 104) | 967 412 | – | 17.3 |
| Total estimated: C1* and D2* | 59 471 (n/a) | 9912 | 1.02 (1.02 to 1.03) | n/a |
Categories marked * are estimated differences between observed and expected numbers of cases and cannot be linked back to individual patients. Totals are reported separately. Non-payment guidelines specifically exclude cases where the patient self-discharged (category C1).