The relationship between discharge destination and rehospitalization in Chinese patients with heart failure: a cohort study

Background: The high readmission rate among heart failure (HF) patients is a significant concern, but limited research has explored the relationship between discharge destination and readmission rates in Chinese HF patients. Objective: To examine the association between discharge destination and readmission in HF patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 2,008 HF patients admitted to the Fourth People's Hospital of Zigong City, China, between December 2016 and June 2019. Patients were divided into two groups based on their discharge destination: home and healthcare facility. The primary outcome was readmission within 6 months, with secondary outcomes at 3 months and 28 days. Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess the relationship, with additional subgroup and interaction analyses for robustness. Results: = 0.011) supported the above findings, and the association remained robust in subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that discharge to a healthcare facility was independently associated with an increased readmission risk among HF patients. Discharge destination should be considered as a potential indicator of readmission risk in clinical practice.