Can we predict early 7-day readmissions using a standard 30-day hospital readmission risk prediction model?

Despite focus on preventing 30-day readmissions, early readmissions (within 7 days of discharge) may be more preventable than later readmissions (8-30 days). We assessed how well a previously validated 30-day readmission prediction model predicts 7-day readmissions. We re-derived model coefficients for the same predictors as in the original 30-day model to optimize prediction of 7-day readmissions. We compared model performance and compared differences in strength of model factors between the 7-day model to the 30-day model. While there was no substantial change in model performance between the original 30-day and the re-derived 7-day model, there was significant change in strength of predictors. Characteristics at discharge were more predictive of 7-day readmissions, while baseline characteristics were less predictive. Improvements in predicting early 7-day readmissions will likely require new risk factors proximal to the day of discharge.