News: Outpatient follow-ups associated with all-cause readmission risk reduction, study shows

Outpatient follow-up is associated with a reduced risk of hospital readmission, according to a new analysis published in JAMA Network Open.

The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to “quantify the association between outpatient follow-up within 30, 14, and 7 days postdischarge and 30-day all-cause readmissions and assess differences in outcomes by disease, age, and baseline readmission risk.”

To this end, the researchers examined all outpatient follow-up and readmissions studies published in MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL between January 1, 2000, and August 4, 2025. There were 83 studies examined in the review and 76 studies within meta-analysis.

According to the researchers, outpatient follow-up within 30 days (versus no follow-up) was associated with “a reduction in risk of 30-day all-cause readmission.” However, follow-ups occurring between 14 and seven days was associated with a “significant reduction in readmissions” only among patients aged 65 years or older.

“In conclusion,” the authors noted, “our systematic review and meta-analysis offers compelling evidence on the association between outpatient follow-up and reduced readmissions. Rather than universal recommendations, risk factors such as patient age and disease should be considered in prioritizing postdischarge follow-up.”

Editor’s note: To read the JAMA Network Open study, click here.