Facilitated connection of patients to primary care within 7 days of hospital discharge is associated with fewer hospital readmissions, a new study found. The cohort study evaluated the outcomes of the 7-Day Pledge program to reduce Medicaid hospital readmissions by increasing access to timing primary care appointments after hospitalization. The primary outcome was the number of hospital discharges followed by a readmission within 30 days. The secondary outcome was the number of hospital discharges followed by a readmission within 90 days. Among the findings:

• 1,531 hospital discharges among adult Medicaid patients in Camden, NJ were analyzed.
• The treatment group consisted on 450 discharged patients and the nontreatment group had 1,081 discharged patients.
• Patients attending a primary care follow-up appointment had fewer 30- and 90-day readmissions compared to those with less timely primary care follow-up or no visit.