THE EFFECTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE MULTIDISCIPLINARY OUTPATIENT DIABETES PROGRAM ON HOSPITAL READMISSION RATES IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Objective: The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of hospital readmissions. The goal of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in the rates of 30-day and 365-day hospital readmissions between diabetic patients who, upon their discharge, received diabetes care in a standard primary care setting and those who received their care in a specialized multidisciplinary diabetes program. Methods: This was a randomized controlled prospective study. Results: One hundred and ninety two consecutive patients were recruited into the study, 95 (49%) into standard care (control group) and 97 (51%) into a multidisciplinary diabetes program (intervention group). The 30-day overall hospital readmission rates (including both emergency department and hospital readmissions) were 19% in the control group and 7% in the intervention group (P = .02). The 365-day overall hospital readmission rates were 38% in the control group and 14% in the intervention group (P = .0002). Conclusion: Patients with diabetes who are assigned to a specialized multidisciplinary diabetes program upon their discharge exhibit significantly reduced hospital readmission rates at 30 days and 365 days after discharge.