Hospital Transfer Rates among Long-Stay Nursing Home Residents: Variation by Day of the Week

Each year, approximately 30% of long-stay nursing home residents are hospitalized.1 Although hospital transfers are often necessary, a portion of them may be avoidable, leading to unnecessary care disruptions, increased costs, and discomfort for the residents. Various factors are associated with higher hospitalization rates among nursing home residents, including quality survey deficiency citations, for-profit status, and inadequate nurse staffing levels.2