Communication of hospital discharge instructions between patient and provider is an important component of hospital discharge to ensure that patients have the information they need to manage their post-acute care. Patient perception of this interaction is a key indicator of the quality of services provided. This study examined whether there is a correlation between hospital continuity and transition scores (a measure of patient perceptions of hospital discharge instructions) and hospital readmissions in Ontario. The final regression model for the outcome of all medical readmissions within three days of hospital discharge, showed a significant positive relationship (coefficient=0.0090, p=0.011). The estimate was smaller and not significant once the data was restricted to only community hospitals located outside of Toronto (coefficient=0.0085, p=0.060), and when restricted to urban community hospitals outside of Toronto (coefficient=0.0041, p=0.384). For the outcome of specific medical readmissions within 28 days of hospital discharge, no statistically significant relationship was found.

Communication of hospital discharge instructions between patient and provider is an important component of hospital discharge to ensure that patients have the information they need to manage their post-acute care. Patient perception of this interaction is a key indicator of the quality of services provided. This study examined whether there is a correlation between hospital continuity and transition scores (a measure of patient perceptions of hospital discharge instructions) and hospital readmissions in Ontario. The final regression model for the outcome of all medical readmissions within three days of hospital discharge, showed a significant positive relationship (coefficient=0.0090, p=0.011). The estimate was smaller and not significant once the data was restricted to only community hospitals located outside of Toronto (coefficient=0.0085, p=0.060), and when restricted to urban community hospitals outside of Toronto (coefficient=0.0041, p=0.384). For the outcome of specific medical readmissions within 28 days of hospital discharge, no statistically significant relationship was found.