Up to 40% Nursing Home Hospitalizations Potentially Avoidable, Study Finds US-Wide

A series of studies led by Florida Atlantic University researchers reveal that up to 40% of hospital transfers and emergency department (ED) visits among nursing home residents, particularly those who are severely impaired or terminally ill, are potentially avoidable. One in three hospitalizations of severely impaired residents and nearly 80% of ED visits by terminally ill residents were identified as unnecessary, with common causes including feeding tube complications, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, sepsis, and heart failure. These avoidable transfers not only cause distress and increased health risks for residents but also contribute to an estimated $14.3 billion in annual Medicare costs. Researchers emphasize that better management within nursing homes, including clearer care protocols, timely symptom management, and stronger communication of healthcare preferences with residents and families, could significantly reduce these transfers. The studies advocate for improved staffing, active involvement of medical directors, and adoption of existing guidelines and preventive strategies to manage conditions in nursing homes more effectively. This evidence highlights the need for systemic changes in nursing home care to minimize unnecessary hospitalizations and reduce both resident suffering and healthcare expenditures.