A GP consult within two days of hospital discharge slashes readmission risk, data shows
Associate Professor Charlotte Hespe says the findings shine a light on the power of GP consults
Patients who see their GP within two days of hospital discharge have 33% fewer readmissions within the first week than those who didn’t see their GP at all, new data suggest.
The findings, drawn from an unpublished, peer-reviewed study covering 340 GP practices in NSW and some 2.9 million patients, are being used to stress the importance of clinical handover to policymakers.
“It’s about $450 if you just go to ED. If you stay overnight, then the cost rapidly escalates to well over $1500,” says Associate Professor Charlotte Hespe, who was involved in the research.
“Obviously if you see that patient in general practice, the Medicare cost is ridiculously low at $39.
