JAMA Netw Open

Timely follow-up after hospital discharge linked to fewer readmissions

November 7, 2025

Study details: This 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized global evidence on the association between outpatient follow-up within 30 days of hospital discharge and all-cause 30-day readmissions. The analysis included studies across diverse disease groups and age ranges, rigorously evaluating sources of bias and stratifying results by timing of follow-up, disease, and patient risk factors.

Results: Follow-up within 30 days was associated with reduced readmission risk overall (relative risk ratio [RRR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.75), though effect was smaller in studies with low/moderate bias (RRR, 0.78). Greatest benefit was seen in patients ≥65 years with heart failure (RRR, 0.65) or acute MI (RRR, 0.56). Early follow-up (≤14 or ≤7 days) further reduced readmissions only in these older cardiac cohorts.

Clinical impact: Rather than blanket scheduling, prioritizing outpatient follow-up for higher-risk patients and tailoring timing by disease and age may yield the greatest reduction in readmissions. The findings underscore the need for high-quality, targeted research and suggest actionable strategies for discharge planning and resource allocation.

Source:

Balasubramanian I, Andres EB, Malhotra C. (2025, November 3). JAMA Netw Open. Outpatient Follow-Up and 30-Day Readmissions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41186947/